It's much ado about nothing at Thomond

IT’S not often that Munster and Saracens miss their cue and disappoint in Europe but, even given difficult second half conditions, this was a sterile affair lacking any real drama and failed to live up to its pre-match hype.

- Brendan Gallagher

Perhaps we have just been too spoilt over the years at Thomond Park.

There is no such thing as a bad win over Saracens, however, and this keeps Munster well and truly in the hunt behind high-flying Racing in a Pool that is almost certain to produce one of the three best runners up given how pitiful Ospreys are at present.

The Munstermen, though, are likely to find themselves up against a stronger Saracens next week and if Saracens win by more than seven points it is probably advantage Sarries. Not only did they garner a losing bonus point here but there was never any prospect of a Munster try bonus.

It was a calculated gamble by Saracens travelling to Limerick with just two of their England men, and indeed without World Cup winner Vincent Koch, but after being docked 35 Premiership points they must duck and dive this season and box clever when they can.