Saracens vs Munster LIVE: Stream, score and latest updates from Champions Cup semi-final
Follow the latest from the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final at the Ricoh Arena
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates live from the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final between Saracens and Munster, brought to you from the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Saracens are looking to make it a third final in four seasons as they attempt to reclaim the trophy that was once theirs, but the build-up to this afternoon’s match has been blighted by accusations of salary cap breaches, the social media controversy involving Billy Vunipola and an awful recent away record. And while they may be the home side, the semi-final has to take place at a neutral venue, meaning the reigning Premiership champions have left Allianz Park for the Ricoh.
Munster meanwhile are out for revenge following their 2017 semi-final defeat by Saracens, and the prospect of an all-Irish final remains a very real possibility with Leinster taking on Toulouse in Sunday’s semi-final. Follow the live updates below.
What time does it start?
Saracens vs Munster kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 20 April.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 2:15pm.
Teams
Saracens: Alex Goode; Sean Maitland, Alex Lozowski, Brad Barritt, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Ben Spencer; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Titi Lamositele; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Michael Rhodes, Jackson Wray, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Joe Gray, Richard Barrington, Vincent Koch, Will Skelton, Schalk Burger, Richard Wigglesworth, Nick Tompkins, David Strettle.
Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony, Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Arno Botha, Alby Mathewson, JJ Hanrahan, Dan Goggin.
9 mins: Another penalty to Munster comes on the edge of the 22 as Vunipola is pinged for going off his feet at the ruck in attempting to slow it down. Bleyendaal will go for posts.
10 mins: Bleyendaal kicks the three-pointer and the scores are level! 3-3
12 mins: Saracens attempt to attack right to left and Farrell puts in a low chip behind that finds touch. But Munster's set-piece is working well and they clear their lines comfortably.
13 mins: A first big test for Andrew Conway comes when Farrell puts up a high bomb for the wing to tend with, and he's perfectly up to the task with a clean catch and mark despite pressure from Liam Williams and Alex Lozowski.
The boos have increased now for Billy Vunipola by the way, with the Munster fans starting to warm up into the boiling atmosphere.
15 mins: A smart kick behind from Goode gives Strettle something to chase for, but Rory Scannell just sweeps round to collect the ball on his own 5m line and brush off the tackle that follows before kicking clear. Farrell runs it back and Saracens attack again, but when play comes in-field Stander gets his hands on the ball and that's a penalty for the Irish side.
17 mins: Wow that's a big call. Spencer puts another box-kick up and Farrell's eyes light up as he sees full-back Mike Haley preparing to catch it. Farrell nails Haley hard, and when the Saracens forwards flood in to attack the ball Garces gives Saracens the penalty. The Munster fans are furious, but Garces sticks with his decision and Farrell will go for goal.
18 mins: Farrell kicks the penalty and Saracens are back in front. Replays on that tackle are...inconclusive, but it's a tight one. 6-3
22 mins: Conway looks high to the heavens as he thinks he's through onto a loose ball, but Garces has come back for a Munster knock-on and Saracens have the scrum put-in about four metres inside the Munster 22.
24 mins: Farrell throws a beautiful flat pass for Williams but Haley takes man and ball and stops the Welshman in his tracks emphatically. This is impressive pressure from Saracens though, and they attack right with space for Strettle - who wisely passes in-field to the Munster defence before going into touch and Sweetnam takes it into touch to give Saracens a 5m lineout.
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