The Sarriesdefeated “The Red Army” from Ireland and will play a winner takes all matchwith Clermont Auvergne in Pool One of the European Champions Cup. The Frenchare at the top in Pool A with 18 points and are followed by the Sarries with 17points.  Munster are third with 10 pointsand their chances of a quarter-final place are very slim.

Thematch was played at Saracens home ground, the Allianz Park in North London, andthe hosts dominated the first-half of the game with a 23-3 lead. Chris Ashtonand Chris Wyles scored exquisite tries while Owen Farrell executedtwo conversions and three penalties to end the half in a commandingposition.

The Sarriescontinued well in the second half. They had the majority of the possession,but only augmented their tally with another Owen Farrell penalty and Chris Ashton's secondtry of the game.

The visitorsput up more of a resistance after the interval but their only points in thesecond half came in the form of a converted Denis Hurley try.

A featureof the game was the power of the Saracen’s forward pack. The hosts were on topof Munster in the opening scrum exchanges, while home number eight BillyVunipola, 22, put in the sort of performance that deserves all of the accolades he duly receives. He played brilliantly and bulldozed through the Munster defence with easeas they played a territorial game, kicking the ball deep and pressurising theopposition.

Englandwinger Chris Ashton, 27, performed well and completed his brace. Farrell,23, who had his first call-up for England in 2012, was in fine kicking form andconverted the tries as well as the penalties.

TheSaracens only regret will be that they were unable to get one more try in thesecond period, which cost them a bonus point.

 

Thevisitors, who are the two-times European Champions, struggled, while theSarries will travel to France to face Clermont knowing that victory will sendthem into the last eight of the competition. Clermont, nicknamed “The Volcanos”are the 2010 French Champions and the 2013 Heineken Cup winners.