European Champions Cup: Saracens too strong for Munster at Allianz Park
Last Updated: 18/01/15 4:30pm
Saracens ended Munster's hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions Cup with a 33-10 win at Allianz Park.
The win for Sarries put them temporarily top of Pool One ahead of Clermont, who retook the lead by beating Sale later on Saturday, with Saracens travelling to France for the pool decider next weekend.
Saracens scored three tries through Chris Wyles and a brace from Chris Ashton while Owen Farrell kicked all three conversions and added four penalties to add to his tally.
Billy Vunipola was back to his devastating best with some impressive ball carrying that Munster could not contain and put Sarries on the front foot time and time again.
Denis Hurley's score for Munster eight minutes from time gave them a glimmer of hope, but they were outplayed and never really threatened a comeback.
Saracens made the early running, setting up camp inside Munster's 22 with Ashton prominent, and they deservedly took a ninth-minute lead through an angled Farrell penalty.
Munster struggled to handle a powerful Saracens scrum, and it was no surprise when that imposing set-piece platform provided the foundation for an opening try midway through the first half.
Once again, Saracens found themselves within striking distance of Munster's line, and they made it count as scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth found Farrell out wide and Ashton and Alex Goode showed good hands to get the ball out to Wyles, who crossed unopposed.
Munster woes
Munster's woes continued after their influential No 8 CJ Stander limped off 12 minutes before half-time, before a second Farrell penalty put Saracens 13 points clear, with Munster offering little to suggest they would recover from such a deficit.
A Ian Keatley penalty opened Munster's account as the interval approached, and it sparked a temporary spell of dominance before Saracens were handed back the initiative when the visitors spilled possession in midfield.
Munster then conceded a penalty on halfway, and Saracens prospered after opting to run the ball back, with Wyles sending a brilliant kick behind the Irish side's defence before Ashton reacted quickest to touch down.
Farrell could not miss from the tee either, completing his penalty hat-trick with the final kick of a one-sided opening 40 minutes as Munster found themselves with a mountain to climb at 20 points adrift.
After the break a fourth Farrell penalty took the home side further ahead before Munster again were forced into reverse gear, defending frantically inside their 22.
Munster were a more cohesive unit in the second period, but Saracens had long since inflicted telling damage as visiting prop James Cronin was sin-binned by referee Romain Poite for tackling a player off the ball.
Hurley touched down near the posts 10 minutes from time, with Keatley converting, but it was Saracens who had the final word as Ashton showed superb footwork and pace to score his second try.
