Munster v Saracens: How To Watch, TV Info, Team News

January 12, 2025

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.

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We have all the info you need on this weekend’s clash between Munster and Saracens.
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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 on Saturday and another away to Northampton next weekend should be enough to see Munster finish top of Pool 3, depending on bonus points and Sarries’ final round result against Castres in London.

Team news

Munster

Munster have been boosted by the return of Conor Murray to the starting XV, after a period in which both Murray and Craig Casey were sidelined. Casey remains out of action through injury, but the return of Ireland veteran Murray is a big plus ahead of Saturday evening’s game. Jack O’Donoghue also returns to the squad.

Hopes had been high that Peter O’Mahony may return to fitness to face Saracens, but the 34-year-old was absent from the lineup when named on Friday afternoon.

The Munster team in full is: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Team News is in for Round 3!

3⃣Three changes to the side that faced Leinster.
☘️International half-back pairing.
🔙Conor Murray & Jack O’Donoghue return from injury.

🔗https://t.co/mOP5V6EfeU#SUAF 🔴| #MUNvSAR | @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/FXoE50UjpC

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) January 10, 2025