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.
Half-time: 40 minutes played and there is so little between these two sides that you feel the scoreline is just about right. Saracens have been the better side with the ball, but the Munster defence has stood up to the test well and is yet to let anything close to their try line. It's been a tale of the two boots so far, with Owen Farrell providing all of the points for Saracens and Bleyendaal likewise for Munster.
Half-time: The two teams return to the field and the second half is moments away...
Half-time: One change for Saracens, as captain Brad Barritt has been forced off the field, with Nick Tompkins on and Alex Lozowski likely shifting to No 12.
43 mins: It's been coming, and finally the Munster defence cracks on the edge. Goode threw a lovely miss-pass that Liam Williams evaded - and took a big tackle from Conwat for his efforts - to Lamositele to take down the wing. The prop unsurprisingly doesn't have the gas to get in, but as Spencer recycles Michael Rhodes picks a lovely inside line angling back to the ruck that beats John Ryan and allows the flanker to gallop over. Farrell adds the conversion. 19-9
46 mins: There's the first real impact from the return of Mako Vunipola as he wins his side a penalty on the 10m as the Munster scrum collapses. Farrell will go for goal.
48 mins: Farrell's effort from distance is good and the lead is out to 13 points. Munster need a score here... 22-9
49 mins: Saracens get a strong lineout drive rolling and have the penalty advantage with it, but Farrell elects to give it a shot and sends a cross-field kick over to Williams. It's short, but the Grand Slam winner spots it early and cuts in-field to collect and try break free. He offloads to Goode and then Tompkins, and Saracens are on the attack into the Munster 22.
51 mins: Saracens attempt to go wide left again, but this time the move falters and the pass from Goode to Williams is dropped into touch and Munster breathe a sigh of relief. Ryan and Haley are heading off for the Irish side, with Stephen Archer on in the front row and Dan Goggin joining the back three.
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