Billy Vunipola confronted by pitch-invading Munster fan as Saracens power their way into Champions Cup final
Saracens 32 Munster 16
Saracens powered their way into their third Heineken Champions Cup final in four years in impressive fashion but despite a man-of-the-match display there was no relief from controversy for Billy Vunipola.
In the week that the England forward was reprimanded by the RFU and his club for his support of Israel Folau’s homophobic comment on social media, Vunipola was booed throughout the contest and in an alarming breach of security was subjected to a two-fingered tirade from a supporter wearing a Munster shirt who gained access to the pitch at the end of what had been an absorbing contest.
EPCR, the tournament organisers, afterwards described it as a “regrettable incident” and that the spectator in question had been detained by stadium authorities.
Munster, whose supporters vastly outnumbered their opponents in the disappointing crowd of just over 16,000, declined to comment about the incident but it is now certain to be subject to a formal investigation.
It had been an emotional afternoon for Vunipola, who had scored the decisive try in the 72nd minute to keep alive Saracens’ hopes of a domestic and European double. Mark McCall’s side will face the winner of Sunday's semi-final between Leinster and Toulouse in the final in Newcastle on May 11.
“I say it every year, we are lucky enough to be here and I am grateful to have such good friends and team-mates and my family,” said Vunipola, who had slapped his Saracens badge on his shirt in celebration after his try. In all he made 22 carries on what was his 100th appearance for Saracens in all competitions.
“It's more than just a team and I'm happy to be playing for them. We were somewhere close to our best. Behind closed doors I have felt a lot of love and kindness.
"I'm very grateful to be part of this team and hopefully we keep this going. From my point of view, I believe what I believe in and there was no intention to hurt anyone. I'm grateful to be able to play and to be fit. Hopefully we see those guys [the booers] in the final. We're just grateful to be in another final.”
Vunipola’s performance drew praise from McCall, who hailed the victory as one of their finest of the season. "Billy was outstanding today, so were all of his team-mates to be honest,” said McCall. “We got all the big parts of our game right today and a great team effort.
"As a group we were determined not to let this week pass us by because we work incredibly hard to be involved in weeks like this one, games like this one. And we ended up having a brilliant week and you can see that in the performance today.
“You could see how tight we were today. The club dealt with it [Vunipola social media posts], it's been dealt with, it was dealt with decisively, it was dealt with quickly and it was dealt with, in my opinion, fairly.
"Then we just got on with the rugby and that's what we’re here to do, get on with the rugby. We had a great week and played well today and now we look forward."
There was only heartbreak for Munster, who stumbled once again at the semi-final stage for the third successive season and yet head coach Johann van Graan can take pride from his team’s efforts. They doggedly stuck to their task in the face of superior power plays and Owen Farrell’s kicking game, and did not break until Vunipola burrowed over from close range after a fine break by David Strettle.
Strettle had been a last-minute replacement for Sean Maitland, who pulled out with a tight hamstring before kick-off but was another who delivered an imperious performance for the Premiership side.
The victory though was masterminded by Farrell, who kicked six penalties and constantly probed the Munster back three with a kicking game that allowed Saracens to exert intense pressure on the Irish province.
That the scoreboard only had Saracens three points in front at half-time, with Farrell kicking four penalties to two by Tyler Bleyendaal and a superb long-range by Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, was testament to Munster’s commitment, buoyed by their vociferous support.
Yet within four minutes of the restart, Saracen took a dominant grip when Alex Goode found Titi Lamositele on the right-hand touchline and when the ball was recycled quickly, Ben Spencer picked out Michael Rhodes, who crossed unopposed and was able to run towards the posts to make Farrell’s conversion straightforward.
With a 10-point lead, the contest had a completely different feel, and Saracens’ dominant grip was further tightened when Farrell knocked over two more penalties.
“For those 15 minutes, it felt like it was wave after wave,” said Munster captain Peter O’Mahony. “They’re big men who are hard to stop when they’re going forwards. With Owen and Alex Goode pulling strings, it’s hard to no which direction their going. Then guys like Billy and Mako give you momentum.”
Yet despite playing without about a fifth of the possession, Munster still found it within themselves to respond again when Darren Sweetnam crossed for a try after Murray had managed to hook back the ball from the base of a Saracens scrum as it wheeled forwards.
Inevitably it was Vunipola who finally killed the game off for Saracens.
“The thing that pleased me most was that the players understood that the scoreboard did not necessarily reflect how well we had played and what we were building towards,” added Mcall. “I was just really pleased with our intensity, which was relentless the whole game, and the control we had emotionally as well.”
Match details
Saracens: A Goode; D Strettle (A Lewington, 75), A Lozowski, B Barritt (N Tompkins, 41), L Williams; O Farrell, B Spencer (R Wigglesworth, 74); M Vunipola (R Barrington 66), J George (J Gray 75), T Lamositele (V Koch, 59), M Itoje, G Kruis (T Lamositele, 80), M Rhodes (S Burger, 74), J Wray (W Skelton, 59), B Vunipola
Sin-bin: V Koch 78min
Munster: M Haley (D Goggin, 51); A Conway, C Farrell, R Scannell, D Sweetnam; T Bleyendaal (JJ Hanrahan, 54), C Murray (A Mathewson, 74); D Kilcoyne (J Loughman, 61), N Scannell (R Marshall, 67), J Ryan (S Archer, 51), J Kleyn (B Holland, 61), T Berine, P O’Mahony, J O’Donoghue (A Botha, 67), CJ Stander
Scoring sequence: 3-0, Farrell pen; 3-3, Bleyendaal pen; 6-3, Farrell pen; 9-3, Farrell pen; 9-6 Bleyendaal pen; 9-9, Murray pen; 12-9 Farrell pen; 17-9, Rhodes try; 19-9, Farrell con; 22-9, Farrell pen; 25-9, Farrell pen; 25-14, Sweetnam try; 25-16, Hanrahan con; 30-16, B Vunipola try; 32-16, Farrell con;
Referee: J Garces
Attendance: 16,235
More drama
Madness, a Munster fan has run onto the pitch to confront Billy Vunopola, swearing in his face before running off. Vunipola responds by celebrating. Not on at all, what is that fan trying to achieve? #SARvMUN
— Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) 20 April 2019
Billy Vunipola's thoughts
I say it every year, we are lucky enough to be here and I am grateful to have such good friends and team-mates and my family. It's more than just a team and I'm happy to be playing for them.
We were somewhere close to our best. Mako and Brad aren't as fit as they'd like to be but everyone stepped up. Behind closed doors I have felt a lot of love and kindness.
I'm very grateful to be part of this team and hopefully we keep this going. From my point of view, I believe what I believe in and there was no intention to hurt anyone. I'm grateful to be able to play and to be fit. Hopefully we see those guys [the booers] in the final.
We weren't surprised to see Toulouse beat Racing and we know what Leinster can bring. We're just grateful to be in another final.
FULL-TIME: Saracens 32-16 Munster
Last play coming up, scrum on halfway for Saracens. Penalty for the seven-man Saracens pack. Munster with nothing left to give. Kicked to touch and Saracens are through. They will face either Leinster or Toulouse in Newcastle.
79 mins - Saracens 32-16 Munster
Mathewson through a small gap. Perhaps Munster will have the final say in this one.
Grubber down the wing doesn't come off, Botha helplessly chasing it into touch. Wigglesworth then clears well with the boot.
77 mins - Saracens 32-16 Munster
More Saracens attack after Billy breaks off the scrum. Saracens just outside the Munster 22 now but the Irish province do well to get the ball back.
TMO checking an incident, involving Itoje. Looks like a bad ruck clearout on Archer, picking him up and dropping him on his head along with Koch.
Yellow card for the Springbok. Munster find touch. Billy Vunipola named man of the match in his 100th game for the club.
75 mins - Saracens 32-16 Munster
The legs have gone for Munster, Conway with a knock-on he wouldn't normally make. Lewington on for Strettle, Gray for George. Burger and Wigglesworth too, the latter making his 100th European appearance.
TRY B VUNIPOLA! Saracens 32-16 Munster
Sweetnam with a dancing run from deep but Munster are still pinned in their half. Murray clears but that's an amazing take and run back by Williams. Quietly excellent this afternoon.
Strettle into space down the wing! Back into Munster's 22, Saracens can sniff the knockout punch. Tompkins tackled five metres out. Now two metres short. Billy spins and scores. Saracens are going to the final. Farrell converts.
70 mins - Saracens 25-16 Munster
Stolen back by Saracens. Flooding the breakdown clinically there. Munster having to make this happen from deep and the clock is against them.
68 mins - Saracens 25-16 Munster
Knock-on by Skelton. Munster scrum on the right, in their half. What can they create here.
You have to admire Saracens' capacity to get away with so much. In front of the kicker at every restart, offside at every breakdown, block runners at every kick and all over every breakdown and it all goes unnoticed. It's not a criticism, it's part of what makes them so good.
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) 20 April 2019
67 mins - Saracens 25-16 Munster
He's missed to the right! First error off the tee today from Farrell. Munster bring on Marshall and Botha.
65 mins - Saracens 25-16 Munster
Well, that makes it interesting. Munster clear to touch well after the restart.
Back come Saracens, good tempo in their recycling at each ruck. Grubber through gathered by Conway. Murray takes his time, shaped to kick but now Munster go wide.
15 minutes remaining as Hanrahan sends it high, Williams doing well under it. Beirne penalised at the ruck! Inside Munster's half and Farrell can try for another three.
Attendance confirmed as 16,235
TRY SWEETNAM! - Saracens 25-16 Munster
Massive scrum by Saracens but it's stolen by Murray off Spencer! Chaos in the Saracens' defence, Munster go wide, Goode slips and Sweetnam rounds him to score!
Looked as though Saracens would get a scrum penalty before Murray swooped in with his foot to claw the ball back, Garces confirming the ball was out. Hanrahan from the touchline converts superbly.
Chaos at the Saracens scrum and Munster take full advantage! pic.twitter.com/MWtoz9497G
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) 20 April 2019
61 mins - Saracens 25-9 Munster
Lineout won, Munster trying to work the maul. Down it goes, C Farrell with another big run but Saracens turn the tackle into a maul and win the turnover! Scrum for Saracens five metres from their line. Itoje down getting some treatment, Kilcoyne too.
59 mins - Saracens 25-9 Munster
C Farrell crashing up and Munster have a penalty, Skelton offside. Back to the corner go Munster.
58 mins - Saracens 25-9 Munster
Saracens defence barely giving up a gap so Hanrahan kicks to the corner. Back come Munster but that's a big tackle by Rhodes.
Penalty Munster, against Itoje. Now they must go to the corner. Skelton, Koch about to come on for Lamositele and Wray.
56 mins - Saracens 25-9 Munster
Brief spell on the ball for Munster through Stander. Can they find a way past Saracens having just made so many tackles.
Munster building phases but without making much ground. High kick from Hanrahan but Goode does well facing the sun. Cleared by Spencer.
PENALTY FARRELL! Saracens 25-9 Munster
Saracens beyond two scores. How do Munster claw that back? Unclear at this point. Hanrahan is on for Bleyendaal.
Not often that you see Munster's defence under this much stress.
Saracens are all over them like shingles.
Carriers EVERYWHERE— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) 20 April 2019
53 mins - Saracens 22-9 Munster
Saracens with 86 per cent possession in this half. Extraordinary.
Now Kruis poaches a lineout, Saracens back on the attack. Big carry after big carry, chipping away at Munster. Penalty coming, Saracens flash it wide but nothing there. Three more points coming up for Farrell you expect. Huge physicality and always winning the gain line.
51 mins - Saracens 22-9 Munster
Kruis takes a lineout, maul from Saracens sapping energy and winning a penalty. This is peak Saracens, suffocating Munster. Kick across taken by Williams, Munster a little loose defensively. Up to the 22.
Goggin about to come on for Haley, Archer for Ryan too. Saracens over 10 phases, Itoje and the forwards making ground. Pass wide to Williams goes into touch. Munster hold.
PENALTY FARRELL! Saracens 22-9 Munster
No mistake. A ten-point punch from Saracens and Munster are reeling now.
47 mins - Saracens 19-9 Munster
Penalty Saracens, Mako winning his battle. This has been a huge period for Saracens since the break.
Farrell taking a shot, 45m out.
Bad time to concede a penalty. Looked like a slip from Ryan there but we were under a fair bit of pressure #SARvMUN
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) 20 April 2019
45 mins - Saracens 19-9 Munster
Munster must score next (obviously). Another semi-final defeat would be crushing.
Scrum coming up near halfway for Saracens.
TRY RHODES! Saracens 19-9 Munster
Stander takes Farrell's restart, makes a bit of ground before Murray hoofs it long. Goode under it, familiar territory for Saracens inside the Munster half.
Little ground made so far, O'Donoghue with a good hit on Lozowski. Now wide to the right, first touch for Tompkins, Saracens over 10 phases.
Quick hands by Goode, Williams stepping in. Tackle was legal but Garces wanted that confirmed. Patient attack, over 20 phases now and only just at Munster's 22.
Williams puts through Lamositele! Saracens so close and now Rhodes is over! Persistence and possession for Saracens and they get the breakthrough. Conversion to come and this could be a huge ten-point lead. Farrell makes it. Munster with a big deficit to claw back now.
The semi-final has its first try ��
Saracens go over for the score and there's a bit of day-light between the sides now! pic.twitter.com/qbnX60qtks— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) 20 April 2019
Second half underway
And there's no Barritt. Tompkins on in his place, Barritt came into this with an ankle injury.
HALF-TIME: Saracens 12-9 Munster
It's over! Four out of four by Farrell. No tries but this has been intense, huge midfield tackles, a Test-match feel as expected. Saracens with the narrow lead going into the break.
40 mins - Saracens 9-9 Munster
Saracens looking for one last attack before the break, outside the Munster 22. There was a knock-on by O'Mahony in the build-up trying to make a tackle... was it deliberate? TMO checking.
Penalty! Farrell to Garces: "I told you." He'll take a shot.
38 mins - Saracens 9-9 Munster
This is exciting by Munster, a half break down the wing by Kleyn and Murray. N Scannell then knocks on. Back we come for a penalty, obstruction by Murray.
PENALTY MURRAY! Saracens 9-9 Munster
What a nudge! Great strike by the Ireland and Lions nine. Big roar from the Munster fans. We're tied.
It's a monster!! ��
Conor Murray from a LONG way away!
This is rugby at its most intense on BT Sport 2 HD... pic.twitter.com/T9eajWoght— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) 20 April 2019
35 mins - Saracens 9-6 Munster
Free kick to Munster, Mako early on the engage. Couple of kicks before Williams drops an easy one. Back for a penalty, Saracens offside. Will Bleyendaal try a long shot or go to the corner? It's the former, but Murray in fact will try it. He turns 30 today.
33 mins - Saracens 9-6 Munster
Saracens building a few phases around halfway. Lozowski thumped back but Billy carries well. Barritt slips out of a tackle, trying to create quick ball. Over the top to Strettle, no way through there on the right wing. Knocked on by Lamositele - Munster's defence holds.
PENALTY BLEYENDAAL! Saracens 9-6 Munster
Gap cut to three, both kickers perfect so far (if you ignore Farrell's missed drop goal).
29 mins - Saracens 9-3 Munster
Scrum coming Munster's way after a good catch by Haley against Williams. Through the hands to Haley, tackled by the wing. Now back to the right - Beirne has notably ditched the scrum cap. Munster into Saracens' 22. Barritt trying to roll away and just about does so before Garces blows a penalty.
But this time they are penalised, Itoje caught out at the ruck for slowing it down. Bleyendaal to take a shot.
PENALTY FARRELL! Saracens 9-3 Munster
High pace this, you can hear Jerome Garces hauling in the big breaths. No mistake from Farrell - probably thanks to these fellas.
26 mins - Saracens 6-3 Munster
More brilliant defence by C Farrell but Munster are offside. Three more points coming up for Farrell.
24 mins - Saracens 6-3 Munster
Haley does well to haul down Williams out wide on the left. Saracens ten metres out. Wide to Strettle who offloads inside but R Scannell is there - all he can do is run it into touch. Saracens' lineout five metres out.
22 mins - Saracens 6-3 Munster
Saracens warming up, Kruis and Itoje with the power before Spencer and Goode try to snipe. Kicked through, Sweetnam doing well to beat Strettle chasing a kick. Munster recover and Murray clears.
Saracens got away with a forward pass in the build-up on replay.
Munster then knock on in defence, attacking scrum for Saracens in Munster's half.
20 mins - Saracens 6-3 Munster
Promising attack for Munster but Bleyendaal is pinged for obstruction, opening a hole for Murray. Farrell clears to touch.
PENALTY FARRELL! Saracens 6-3 Munster
On the money as Saracens re-take the lead.
17 mins - Saracens 3-3 Munster
Box kick by Murray, high but not far, comes back the way of Itoje. Saracens shifting it left but Barritt is thumped back by the excellent C Farrell.
High kick this time by Saracens and this time it's the English side who get the penalty, Haley not releasing after Saracens swarm over him following a catch. The timing was tight. Farrell to take a shot.
15 mins - Saracens 3-3 Munster
Lineout won by Saracens, Barritt crashing up. Grubber from Williams is a good one with Strettle racing after it but Munster do well and kick clear.
Back comes Saracens through Rhodes. Goode steps through, into Munster's 22. Penalty Munster! Stander at the breakdown again.
13 mins - Saracens 3-3 Munster
Murray's box kicks clears Munster's lines as B Vunipola carries back over halfway, booed all the way.
Rush defence from Munster working well as Saracens lose ground. Kicked by Spencer, Haley can't get there and knocks on.
Saracens go wide, pass looked forward but not given as Strettle makes the 22. High kick from Farrell, Conway does well though to win the ball ahead of Williams. Well played. Mark called and Conway will find touch.
Really no need to boo Vunipola just because he's terrified of gay people for whatever reason #SARvMUN
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) 20 April 2019
11 mins - Saracens 3-3 Munster
Sweetnam with the take off the restart before Murray clears. Caught by Goode and run back to Munster's 40m line. Grubber by O Farrell finds touch outside Munster's 22.
PENALTY BLEYENDAAL! Saracens 3-3 Munster
Chipped over and we're level.
Looks v much as if this will be a typical Garces free-for-all at the breakdown. Less interested in policing anything much there.
— Alastair Eykyn (@alastaireykyn) 20 April 2019
9 mins - Saracens 3-0 Munster
Lineout won at the tail, good running by C Farrell. Munster into Saracens' 22. Penalty Munster! Mako off his feet at the ruck. Bleyendaal to level things up off the tee.
7 mins - Saracens 3-0 Munster
Munster's turnover this time, C Farrell over it, penalty. R Scannell finds touch about 35 metres out.
6 mins - Saracens 3-0 Munster
Lineout won by Munster, a brief maul before Stander carries and Murray kicks. Fields of Athenry ringing out as Farrell puts it high, Strettle does well, tapping it back. Saracens wreaking havoc with the sun in Haley's eyes with these kicks.
Spencer with a small dart, up to Munster's 22. Back to Farrell in the pocket... wide to the right. Munster to drop out.
3 mins - Saracens 3-0 Munster
Few boos for Billy after his first carry. Haley takes that box kick, Munster building. Into Saracens' half.
Great turnover by Saracens, Wray it looks like, and Spencer kicks up to the Munster 22.
PENALTY FARRELL! Saracens 3-0 Munster
Curled in from the right and Saracens take the lead.
"Cmon, ya prick,' says a Munster fan just before Owen Farrell opens the scoring off the tee.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) 20 April 2019
Kick-off!
Bleyendaal will get us going. Kicked deep, taken by Saracens who then win the ball back from Spencer's box kick. Enough Munster drop, Haley looking into the sun, and then O'Mahony is pinged for not rolling. Perfect start for Saracens, kickable penalty.
Final minutes before kick-off
An amazing sea of red, really. Saracens though have a strong XV, with George fit to play and Barritt back in midfield. This is also Mako Vunipola's first game since the Six Nations.
Munster will miss Earls and Joey Carbery.
Saracens supporters (predictably) not travelling well
Looking and sounding more like a home game for Munster. pic.twitter.com/5WhjM0b7sv
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) 20 April 2019
This does not sound fun at all
At the Ricoh, where the announcer has coordinated a sing-off between the fans. Stand up and Fight was a bit louder than Werewolves of London.
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) 20 April 2019
Why Munster remains more than just a rugby club in Ireland
Kate Rowan traveled to Limerick to get an insight into how much Munster rugby means to the people.
With Munster, rugby was never seen as game for the doctors, dentists, bankers and solicitors, it was across the board.
Chris Farrell could have been a Saracen
Instead he lines up for the Irish province. Here are his thoughts on how the last semi-final between these two affected Munster.
They looked like the better side and they were. This year we’re different. We’ve added some real quality and depth. Tadhg Beirne is a big, big asset and Peter O’Mahony is playing rugby like he hasn’t played before. This time we’re a bit better.
Charlie Morgan's tactical preview
Barritt's fitness, Munster turnovers and the box-kicking bonanza all covered.
Father Farrell
The England No 10 on how fatherhood has impacted him so far.
There’s been no surprises because I didn’t have a clue in the first place! Has anyone?
A reminder of how this same fixture went back in 2017
Security escort for Vunipola
Late change!
Sean Maitland is out for Saracens. Dave Strettle starts, Alex Lewington onto the bench.
Match facts
Saracens have won three of their last four games against Munster in the tournament, after losing each of their first four prior to that run.
Saracens and Munster have met twice before in the semi-final with Munster winning 18-16 at the Ricoh Arena in 2008 while Saracens secured a 26-10 victory at the Aviva Stadium in 2017; on each occasion the winning side went on to lift the trophy.
Saracens have reached the semi-final stage for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, progressing to the final from three of their last four appearances.
Munster are appearing in the semi-finals for a record 14th time (W4, L9); however, they’ve lost each of their last six matches, and they last reached the final in 2008 following their win against Saturday’s opposition.
Saracens have averaged more points (34.4) and tries (4.3) per game than any other side this season.
Munster have averaged fewer metres (280) and breaks (5) per game than any other side and have also averaged the most kicks during play (25).
Saracens’ Alex Goode and Munster’s CJ Stander are two of five players to have played the maximum 560 minutes this season.
Stander has made the most tackles (112), and he is also one of just three players to make 100+ carries (also Viliame Mata 141 and James Ryan 103).
Munster lock Tadhg Beirne has won the most turnovers (14) to date. Saracens and England hooker, Jamie George, has hit the target with 94% of this lineout throws (80/85), the best rate of any of the 16 players to take 30+ throws.
Afternoon everyone
Glorious sunshine in Coventry by all accounts as we get ready for Saracens against Munster in the first of our two Champions Cup semi-finals.
This is familiar territory for both sides but Munster have lost their last six Champions Cup semi-finals. Their many, many travelling supporters will be hoping that run ends today.
Meanwhile Saracens will be hoping to put a couple of testing weeks off the field behind them by reaching a third final in four seasons.
Teams confirmed as follows. No Keith Earls is a major setback for Munster, while Saracens welcome back Brad Barritt.
�� 1 HOUR TO GO ��
Here's a reminder of the teams, which player will steal the headlines today? ��
Turn over to @btsportrugby 2️⃣ in 15 mins for all the #Heineken#ChampionsCup semi-final build up between @Saracens and @Munsterrugby �� pic.twitter.com/80wYkZ08M6— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) 20 April 2019
