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Vunipola stars as Saracens ease past Munster into Champions Cup Final

By Online Editors
Mark McCall and Billy Vunipola

Billy Vunipola was on the score sheet as Saracens reached their third European final in four seasons after beating Heineken Champions Cup opponents Munster 32-16.

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Saracens’ England number eight delivered an official man-of-the-match display, but he was booed most times he touched the ball at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

Vunipola received formal warnings from his club and Rugby Football Union in the past week after he posted on social media that “man was made for woman to procreate that was the goal no?”

He also liked a social media post from controversial Australia star Israel Folau that stated “hell awaits” for homosexuals.

A few rainbow flags – symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movements – were visible among a Munster-dominated crowd of just over 16,000.

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But the powerful back-row forward claimed Saracens’ second touchdown to book an appointment in next month’s final against holders Leinster or French heavyweights Toulouse at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

Fly-half Owen Farrell was the architect of Saracens’ semi-final victory, kicking 22 points, while flanker Michael Rhodes also touched down during a dominant second-half team performance.

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Despite wing Darren Sweetnam’s try, two Tyler Bleyendaal penalties, a long-range Conor Murray strike and JJ Hanrahan conversion, Munster suffered a seventh successive European semi-final defeat on their record 14th appearance in the competition’s penultimate knockout stage.

The stadium resembled a home match for Munster, with their fans considerably outnumbering Saracens’ supporters among a crowd that barely half-filled the Ricoh.

The Saracens minority immediately had something to cheer about, though, as Farrell kicked his team into a second-minute lead from 35 metres.

Alex Goode tackle Darren Sweetnam
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A Bleyendaal penalty drew Munster level seven minutes later, and although jeers accompanied Vunipola’s first touch of the ball, Saracens were quickly into their stride as a second Farrell penalty made it 6-3.

Farrell completed a penalty hat-trick in the 27th minute, but a second Bleyendaal strike quickly cut the gap again to three points.

Saracens continued to dominate in terms of possession and territory, yet too often they were let down by a combination of poor handling and resolute Munster defence that had centre Chris Farrell at its core.

Munster drew level three minutes before the break when Murray landed a penalty from just inside Saracens’ half, before a fourth successful Farrell penalty made it 12-9 at the interval.

Saracens skipper Brad Barritt did not appear for the second period and he was replaced by Nick Tompkins, but the English champions were not disrupted.

They scored the game’s opening try within three minutes of the restart when Rhodes rounded off a sustained spell of pressure.

Farrell’s conversion opened up a 10-point lead, piling pressure on a Munster side that had defended impressively, but lacked an attacking spark, before his fifth and sixth penalty successes made it 25-9.

Munster had conceded 10 points in four minutes, and they fell further behind as Farrell’s sixth successful penalty surged Saracens on.

But Munster rallied strongly early in the final quarter, setting up camp near Saracens’ line before wing Sweetnam scored a try and substitute Hanrahan kicked the touchline conversion.

Munster, though, could not find a way back, and Vunipola touched down eight minutes from time, with Farrell’s conversion ending the scoring and sealing an impressive win.

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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