Munster take on Saracens in the Champions Cup this weekend needing a big win to reinvigorate their European campaign.
Limerick will surely be rocking on Saturday, as Munster look to bounce back from a difficult festive period that saw them lose to Castres in Europe and Leinster in the URC.
We have all the info you need on this weekend's clash between Munster and Saracens.
READ HERE: Embattled Etzebeth Launches Staunch Defence Of Champions Cup Amid South Africa Issues
READ HERE: England Great Calls On Andy Farrell To Avoid Irish Coaches For 2025 Lions
Munster v Saracens: Everything you need to know
When is Munster v Saracens?
Munster host Saracens on Saturday January 11th in Thomond Park, with kick-off at 5:30pm Irish time.
How to watch Munster v Saracens?
Saturday's game is live on Premier Sports and RTÉ. Coverage starts on Premier Sports 1 at 5:15pm on Saturday, and gets underway on RTÉ 2 at 4:45pm.
RTÉ's panellists for the game will be Donal Lenihan, Fiona Coghlan, and Jamie Heaslip.
Permutations
Saracens currently sit second in Pool 3 on 9 points, with Munster three points behind them in third place. Saracens have won both of their first two games, while Munster's loss to Castres means they need a win to inject life into their European campaign.
13 December 2024; Munster players, from left, Stephen Archer, Oli Jager, Tom Ahern and John Hodnett at the final whistle of the Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Castres Olympique and Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre in Castres, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
There will still be a final round of pool games to play after this weekend's action, but the Pool 3 picture will be a lot clearer by the conclusion of round three. Here's the shakedown of the various results and what they will mean for Munster
- If Munster win with a try bonus point and Saracens do not attain a try bonus point, Munster will leapfrog Saracens in the table on points
- If Munster win by eight or more points and Saracens do not attain a try bonus point, Munster will leapfrog Saracens in the table on points
- If Munster win by five or more points and Saracens do not attain a try bonus point, Munster will leapfrog Saracens on points difference
- If Munster win by five or more points without a try bonus point and Saracens attain a try bonus point, Sarries will remain ahead in the table on points
- If Munster win by fewer than five points without either side attaining a try bonus point, Saracens will remain ahead in the table on points difference
- A draw will keep the teams in the same order
The winner of Saturday's game could overtake Northampton at the top of Pool 3 if the Saints lose on the road to Stade Francais.
A win against Saracens and another away to Northampton next weekend should be enough to see Munster finish top of Pool 3, depending on bonus points and Saracens' final round result against Castres in London.
Team news
Munster
Munster are set to be boosted by several players returning from injury. Diarmuid Barron, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Jack O'Donoghue and Conor Murray have all returned to training this week after injury layoffs. Hope is also high that Peter O'Mahony will be available for selection.
15 Munster players remain sidelined by injury, including Craig Casey, Alex Nankivell, and Dave Kilcoyne.
The Munster team will be named at 1pm on Friday.
Saracens
Eight players could be missing for Saracens through injury. Alex Goode, Andy Onyeama-Christie, James Hadfield, Louie Johnson, Theo McFarland, and Tobias Elliott will all be missing on Saturday, while Theo Dan and Nick Isiekwe will be assessed before the squad is named.
The Saracens team will be named at 1pm on Friday.
SEE ALSO: Predicting The Ireland 23 To Take On England In Four Weeks
