On this Day | Saracens Vs Munster 2015
On this day in 2015, Saracens pushed one step closer to European glory with a famous win against Munster in the Champions Cup.
Read the full match report here:
Chris Ashton scored twice as Saracens inflicted a devastating defeat on Munster at Allianz Park.
Ashton crossed in each half after Chris Wyles set Saracens on course for a convincing win.
Denis Hurley clawed back a try but it was never enough to prevent Munster crashing out of the Champions Cup.
Saracens marched on to a pool decider against Clermont-Auvergne in round six while Ashton moved up to fourth in the list of leading Champions Cup try-scorers.
Yet Saracens were dealt a blow before kick-off when England wing David Strettle was ruled out with a back problem.
But it was his replacement Wyles who scored the game’s opening try.
Saracens skipper Alistair Hargreaves went close inside the opening four minutes after charging down Duncan Williams’ clearance kick.
And Hargreaves was at the heart of the home scrum that set the platform for Wyles’ try.
All Munster eyes were on Billy Vunipola but Farrell instead passed to Ashton and Alex Goode handed Wyles an easy finish in the left corner.
Farrell added the conversion to his earlier penalty for a 10-0 lead in 21 minutes.
Ashton escaped punishment for tackling Simon Zebo in mid-air and Munster then lost No8 CJ Stander to an ankle injury. It summed up the Irishmen’s fortunes.
Farrell and Keatley traded penalties but Saracens pressure up-front proved telling.
Richard Wigglesworth’s quick-thinking created space for their second try.
The scrum-half took a tap-penalty with Munster still retreating. Wyles surged along the touchline before his delicate left-foot kick allowed Ashton to score.
Vunipola boosted his chances of an England return with a barnstorming display, bouncing off tackles as Munster failed to match the sheer power of Saracens.
Two further Farrell penalties, either side of half-time, opened a 26-3 lead and James Cronin was binned for infringing.
Yet Munster scored with just 14 men. Peter O’Mahony broke through, BJ Botha edged the red jerseys closer before Hurley crashed onto Williams’ pass to score between the posts.
However any thoughts of a ‘miracle’ comeback at 26-10 was swiftly snuffed out by that man Ashton.
Goode scooped up a lose pass and Jamie George provided the thrust before handing Ashton his 27th try in Champions Cup history.
