Saracens vs Munster - Composite XV
The first Heineken Champions Cup semi-final of the weekend sees Saracens entertain Munster at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, with the English club keen to march on to their third final in four years, whilst the Irish province are desperate to reignite their great European history.
Saracens booked the top overall seed in the group stage and reinforced their title claims with a 56-27 trouncing of Glasgow Warriors, whilst Munster’s route to the semi-finals left them somewhat more battle-tested, as they had to triumph away from home in the quarter-finals, beating Edinburgh, 17-13, at BT Murrayfield.
The two teams have been named for Saturday’s clash and we have compiled our composite XV from the 30 men taking to the pitch, but will the team with more representation back that up at the Ricoh and make it through to the final?
- Alex Goode, Saracens
Goode has been filling in at 10 recently with Owen Farrell on England duty and then missing the quarter-finals to see the birth of his first child, but there are few more adept in the 15 jersey at club level. He delivers control and management at the back, whilst also offering a versatile counter-attacking threat that regularly sees him at the heart of Saracens attacks and tries. England’s loss has been Saracens’ gain this season.
- Andrew Conway, Munster
The winger has been in standout form for Munster this season and has had the rare skill of making the players around him look better. Whenever he gets his hands on the ball, he tends to make a break, beat a defender or at least give his side a few metres from which to run onto the ball and generate momentum. His work defensively and in the air are solid, too, so that attacking x-factor just pushes him ahead of Sean Maitland.
- Alex Lozowski, Saracens
A nod to the power and direct-running threat of Chris Farrell, here, but Lozowski’s armoury is just a bit more extensive than the Irishman at this position. Lozowski can straighten the line, too, but it’s his speed, footwork and distribution in the 13 channel which separate him from the competition. A second kicking option is always a valuable thing to have.
- Brad Barritt, Saracens
One of the tougher calls, with Rory Scannell having been in excellent form for Munster of late. Barritt, however, is pivotal to Saracens’ defensive structure and he seems to thrive on this high-stakes contests in knockout rugby. His return from injury could be even more valuable to Saracens than that of teammate Mako Vunipola.
- Liam Williams, Saracens
A 59-capped Wales international and a British Irish Lion, Williams has excelled since making the move to Saracens. Much as Goode does, Williams provides Saracens with a multitude of skills in the back three and excels in their dogged and aggressive defensive approach, just as he much does in their ambitious and fluent attack. His duel with Conway will be one of the more interesting head-to-heads.
- Owen Farrell, Saracens
Back in the saddle after duties with England and as a father, Farrell lives for days like these at the business end of the club season. If the game is a tight and tense affair, which it could very well be between these two teams, he will provide a steady hand on the tiller and ensure that Saracens are playing the game in the right areas of the pitch. If it breaks up and becomes a looser contest, he is the kind of ball-handler and playmaker that can still thrive as a first receiver. Whatever the type of match that unfurls on Saturday, Saracens will be confident that Farrell gives them an edge.
- Conor Murray, Munster
There has been some criticism of Murray’s performances this season, but they have not been anywhere approaching bad, it’s just a mark of the levels he has played at in recent years that any dip, no matter how small, warrants a considerable reaction. Murray’s accuracy and depth of pass close to the ruck could be key for Munster in this one, with Saracens’ aggressive defence occasionally over-chasing to prevent width, which in turn can create holes on the inside.
- Dave Kilcoyne, Munster
With Mako Vunipola playing his first game back after a lengthy injury absence, this is made a more straightforward selection. Kilcoyne has been excellent for Munster in recent seasons and has only been denied more acclaim at the international level by the impressive pair of Cian Healy and Jack McGrath. Saracens’ scrum has faltered at times this season and Munster will fancy Kilcoyne to be at his destructive best on Saturday, potentially drawing a few penalties out of the English side and giving the province a good foundation from which to attack and control field position.
- Jamie George, Saracens
Dylan Hartley‘s injury issues this season have seen George not only take hold of the England two jersey, but also establish himself, beyond dispute, as the bar-setting hooker in the Gallagher Premiership. Whilst Saracens scrum has faltered at times, the lineout has been almost flawless and George is a big a contributor to that. Throw into the mix his work in the defensive line and as a ball-carrier and he’s a shoe-in here, albeit with Niall Scannell deserving a more than honourable mention for his ability, too.
- John Ryan, Munster
Like Kilcoyne, Ryan will have ambitions of exerting superiority over the Saracens scrum. The tighthead is more than capable of delivering it and the set-piece, given Peter O’Mahony’s defensive jumping ability, is an area where Munster could prosper on Saturday. Saracens have sorely missed Juan Figallo this season.
- Maro Itoje, Saracens
Itoje is another of Saracens’ players who seems to relish the big matches and, finals aside, there are none bigger than this weekend’s match-up. Jean Kleyn may have the edge in the power stakes close to the ruck, but Itoje’s work at the contact area, his line-speed and his carrying ability if he is able to build up some speed, are all up there with the best second rows in world rugby. His leadership will be key, too.
- Tadhg Beirne, Munster
Speaking of second rows who are effective at the breakdown, Beirne has taken his Scarlets form and only built on it since making the move to Munster. George Kruis might be the more adept lock in international rugby, but given club rugby has a tendency to be slightly more open and fast-paced, Beirne’s skill set just edges him ahead in this contest.
- Peter O’Mahony, Munster
From exceptional leadership to his predatory work at the lineout, O’Mahony is a given in the six jersey. He, like Murray, has come in for some unfair flak this season, predominately centred around performances for Ireland, rather than Munster, but he is still one of, if not the best blindside flanker currently playing the game. How he deals with the abrasive pairing of Jackson Wray and Mike Rhodes could go a long way to deciding this game.
- Jackson Wray, Saracens
There are two underappreciated men in the seven jerseys this week, in the forms of Wray and Jack O’Donoghue. Neither get a look in at international level, but both are fantastically consistent and effective performers at club level. Both carry well, influence the breakdown and bring energy in defence, but we’ve ultimately gone for Wray, given his experience and success at this level, as well as the fact a clean bill of health has seen him be able to be more influential of late.
- Billy Vunipola, Saracens
Put aside the recent off-field issues and the edge has to go with Vunipola on this one, although there’s not much in it, with CJ Stander having been one of the most consistent producers in European rugby this season with Munster. That extra dynamism Vunipola brings swings it ever so slightly his way, although it remains to be seen how the reaction from the crowd will affect his performance on Saturday.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
28 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
28 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
90 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
4 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
9 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments