Ireland's apathy toward the Champions Cup proved brief: after all of the Irish sides fell in the pool stages of the revamped competition, there was much wailing of tears and gnashing of teeth regarding the Irish disadvantage against the riches of the English and French teams, where money didn't talk as much as swear. Less than a year on, however, all is changed once again, and we face the prospect of an all-Irish final for the first time. It's going to be a fascinating weekend, with Saracens and Clermont the obstacles to one of the greatest occasions on Irish rugby history. So settle in for the weekend, and if you're wondering where to watch Munster vs Saracens, then read on...
Where to watch Munster vs Saracens?
Munster v Saracens is on BT Sport 3 on Saturday afternoon.
What time is kick-off?
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 3.15pm.
What time does coverage begin?
BT will begin to set the scene 45 minutes ahead of kick-off, with coverage beginning at 2.30pm.
Any injury concerns for Munster?
Heaps. Conor Murray hasn't played since he had his soldier squashed by Sam Warburton in the Six Nations, with the stinger injury he sustained turning out to be much worse than first feared. Murray hasn't completed any contact work since then, so is rated as doubtful for Munster's biggest game in years. In better news, second-choice Duncan Williams, who proved an able deputy in the quarter final against Toulouse, should be fit to play, having missed the Pro12 win over Ulster with a tight groin.
CJ Stander should also make it: he hobbled off with an ankle sprain against Toulouse, but he is resuming training this week. Rory Scannell's injury against Ulster is not as bad as first feared, and he may yet make this Saturday's game, and Darren Sweetnam is undergoing return-to-play protocols this week. Ian Keatley, Tyler Blyendaal and Donnacha Ryan have all shaken off their respective injuries and will be good to go against Saracens.
Are Saracens in good form?
Indeed. Sarries lie third in the Premiership with 72 points, seven off leaders Wasps, and despite resting most of their first-teamers in the Aviva Premiership last weekend, they still overcame sixth-placed Northampton 27-25. Expect English internationals and potential Lions Mauro Itoje, Owen Farrell, George Kruis, Jamie George and the Vunipolas to all feature, along with the ever-lethal Chris Ashton and Scottish international Sean Maitland to add a bit more firepower to the backline.
Saracens easily dispatched Glasgow in the quarter-finals (whom Munster, to be fair, have beaten four times this season), and prior to that sauntered through a pool featuring Toulon, Scarlets, and Sale.
In Owen Farrell, Sarries boast the highest points scorer in the tournament. He's got 96 points thus far, with the next nearest on 93. That, however, is Munster's Tyler Blyendaal. If Byendaal can make up that gap on Saturday, then he may well have a final in which to extend it...
See Also: The All Blacks Of The North: Why We Should Fear Welsh Dominance Of European Rugby
So a reminder on where to watch Munster vs Saracens: BT Sport 3 from 2.30pm, with kick-off at 3.15pm. Keep an eye on Balls.ie over the weekend, we'll be right across it.
