Saracens player ratings: This largely suffocating Pool Three battle in Limerick was seriously short on frills for a long spell but when the decisive moments arrived, it was the try-less visitors who were found wanting as an encouraging 9-3 lead evaporated into a 9-17 deficit in the space of a few brutal minutes around the hour mark.
Saracens did hit back, their fourth successful penalty kick of the evening ensuring a commendable losing bonus point in a 12-17 defeat, but they will feel this was one that painfully got away on them.
This agony was encapsulated with minutes remaining when Liam Williams failed to give what would surely have been a try-assisting pass to the in-space Juan Martin Gonzalez inside the Munster 22. That error was reminiscent of his 2021 British and Irish Lions mistake in ignoring Josh Adams.
The defeat shouldn’t deny Saracens progress to the round of 16. Next weekend’s home game with Castres will likely herald a third win in four to guarantee their place in the knockouts but they will be hurt that they didn’t see this job through at Thomond Park and secure what would have been their first ever win at the Irish venue. Here are the Saracens players ratings:
15. Elliot Daly – 5.5/10
With George Furbank currently injured, Daly is back in the England conversation. There was one annoying kick out on the full but he otherwise played tactically well. Also kicked an important three points from distance.
22m Entries
14. Liam Williams – 3
Hoping to make the Wales squad next Monday, his fifth outing since his re-signing from Japan hammered home how his timing is still off as a pair of first half knock-ons was followed by sloppy cover for Munster’s second try and then that howler of a decision where he ignored the pass to Gonzalez.
13. Alex Lozowski – 4.5
Kicked his three penalty efforts off the tee, he was defensively sharp for a large chunk. However, his error count in the second half – some knock-ons and a penalty for a high tackle – hurt his team.
12. Nick Tompkins – 6
Stood up well in defence across his 72-minute involvement, but was unable to contribute much to a blunt, narrow attack.
11. Lucio Cinti – 5
Contested well in the air, his cover across towards his opposite wing helped to distract Jack Crowley, who crucially knocked on after a kick through was poised to give Munster a first-half try. Pulled up lame in the second chasing a Daly kick and exited with 14 minutes left.
10. Fergus Burke – 6
A player rumoured for a Scotland call-up, he exerted plenty of good influence until the closing quarter. Some kicks though the cover kept Munster honest but he ultimately didn’t have the nous to produce a game-winning moment.
9. Ivan van Zyl – 6
He enjoyed his battle with Conor Murray, playing fast through the hand and being slow and deliberate with the boot. Had a couple of shaky second-half moments, though, including a mishap in the second Munster try and then an ugly box kick in opposition territory that didn’t go anywhere.
1. Phil Brantingham – 5.5
A rare Saracens start for the off-season signing from Newcastle, his soft knock-on helped to enliven a muted home crowd on 27 minutes. Battled his way through a 62-minute effort that will stand to him in the long run.
2. Jamie George – 6
For the most part he produced the sort of gutsy effort England will want to see in Dublin in three weeks. Watch his movement off the ball at the Munster lineout to close down the passing channel or pick his moment to join and stop the maul. Sadly, slipped off a tackle for the crucial first Munster try, his last involvement in the game.
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3. Marco Riccioni – 5.5
Got through a heap of grunt work and while there was a scrum penalty conceded nearing the interval, he would have thought he had done enough to lay a winning foundation. Instead, exited with his team a point behind and set to concede more.
4. Maro Itoje – 6
Brought his nuisance value, hitting hard in the tackle and influencing the maul. Was a huge part of the defiance that had his team 9-3 up, only for it to then become unstuck.
5. Harry Wilson – 6
This was a highlight in the Championship player’s first season in top flight rugby. He could have understandably been overawed by the occasion given his inexperience but he played like a veteran and can be very pleased with his 72 minutes.
6. Juan Martin Gonzalez – 6.5
A meaty tackle count and another great nuisance. Check out his 26th-minute charge down and gathering of the ball in the Munster 22. Real pity he wasn’t a winner as he was primed to run in a decisive late try only for Williams to ghost him.
7. Ben Earl – 6
Another who was hugely unselfish in defence, finishing with 18 tackles along with Gonzalez. He was also frequently involved in ball carrying, but Munster limited his impact.
8. Tom Willis – 6.5
Branded the best forward in England last weekend by Lawrence Dallaglio, the wow factor wasn’t as noticeable in Limerick as it was against Bristol but his work rate was considerable. It was his rumbustious carry that forced the penalty that allowed Saracens to secure their losing bonus point.
Replacements: It was only having gone behind 9-10 when Saracens started sending on reinforcements. They can be pleased with their scrum as two penalties were won and overall they did make a fight of it to ensure a losing bonus was ultimately taken.
- Ratings index: 10/10 – Perfect, 9. Exceptional, 8. Very good, 7. Good, 6. Satisfying, 5. Average, 4. Insufficient, 3. Bad, 2. Very bad, 1. Terrible, 0. Unacceptable.
