Munster v Northampton

Munster V Northampton will see Graham Rowntree's side take a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages with victory.

The big news for Munster is Conor Murray has been dropped for the game. Five wins in their last seven games, with narrow defeats to Toulouse and Leinster showing just how far they have come. [ knockout stages of the Champions Cup,](https://www.balls.ie/rugby/stephen-ferris-pinpoints-moment-munster-539234) as they face Northampton in Thomond Park. If anything brings out the best in Munster, it's a big European game in Thomond. Munster V Northampton is this Saturday, with kick-off at Thomond Park at 3.15. Munster V Northampton will see Graham Rowntree's side aim to take a huge step towards qualification for the

Competition: Heineken Champions Cup (pool stages). Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick. Advertisement. Hide Ad. Date and kick-off time: Saturday, January 14, ...

They claimed memorable wins at Leinster and Ulster back in the day, and they almost saw off Munster on their most recent trip to Thomond Park back in 2011. But one of those two defeats came against Munster just last month, so somehow Dowson and Co must find a way to turn the tables at Thomond Park this weekend. Phil Dowson’s side have been hugely disappointing on the road so far this season and badly require a shot in the arm at Thomond Park on Saturday.

Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has sprung a major surprise, with Conor Murray dropped from the matchday squad for Saturday's crucial Heineken Champions ...

Listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Listen to live commentary of La Rochelle v Ulster in the Champions Cup on Saturday from 5.30pm on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch Munster v Northampton in the Champions Cup on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTE Player with live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app. The 33-year-old has been left out for the visit of the Saints, with Craig Casey starting at scrum-half, while Paddy Patterson has been rewarded for his good form with a place on the bench. Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has sprung a major surprise, with Conor Murray dropped from the match-day squad for Saturday's crucial Heineken Champions Cup Round 3 game against Northampton Saints (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

Team news as Munster host Northampton Saints in Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup fixture at Thomond Park (15:15 GMT).

TMO: Eric Gauzins (France) The top eight sides from two 12-team pools will advance to the last 16. Referee: Tual Trainini (France)

Munster face Northampton on Saturday in the Champions Cup. Munster will be hoping to make it three wins on the spin after losing to Leinster on St. Stephens ...

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WATCHING BACK THE extraordinary endgame of Munster's 2011 Heineken Cup pool-stage victory over Northampton at Thomond Park, it becomes apparent that Ronan ...

It was great afterwards on the pitch and I’m sure it was a bit of craic inside, too — it always was. “The commentary that day certainly got a lot of mileage, for want of a better phrase. To go into that caldron where they’d only lost once; to be on the verge of a historical victory where, if we’d done it, we’d be getting the plaudits for going over there and breaking that fortress in Europe… O’Leary: “With ROG, it was just a case of go over, smack him on the back or give him a high five and that’s it, like, y’know? That was off a crap pass back to ROG who wasn’t in a position to drop at goal, and then he shoves it to the right and all of sudden there’s half a hole and Dougie’s through it… “You just have to take your hat off to the quality of ROG. It’s not too often you go through that many phases as a scrum-half and I’d obviously already struggled to get to a few of the breakdowns as well, so…” But it’s a bit like a jigsaw and it falls together most of the time. And when we lost to New Zealand at the Aviva in 2013 when they got the try and conversion at the end, Nigel Owens was the referee that day as well. O’Leary: “When I came on, I just had it in my head that I was going to carry hard. “But I mean, you might look at all of that afterwards: ‘Jeez, it was nice to get over the line, there, Thomond Park…’ But when I actually scored, I’m not thinking of that. “And the Northampton rivalry was a bit like that.

The province were beaten by Toulouse in their opening match of this year's competition before a 17-6 win over Northampton at Franklin's Garden.

They exercute the lineout perfect and force a penalty that they use to tap and go - and Gavin Coombes charges over from close range for a perfect start for the province! Paddy Patterson has been in fine form and will provide cover to Casey from the bench. Very impressive stuff from Munster as they the ball alive for a long period before the gap opens out wide. Joey Carbery steps up and strikes it beautifully through the posts. Today's match is scheduled for a 3.15pm kick-off in Limerick and will be shown live on RTE 2 and BT Sport 2. Graham Rowntree has Munster playing an attacking and skillful brand of rugby and the signs have been good in recent matches.

Follow all the action in must-win game for Graham Rowntree's men at Thomond Park.

A must-win game for both sides, Northampton are bottom of the pool, while Munster are seventh, looking to put themselves in a strong position to qualify. Northampton clear but Munster edge closer. 6 mins: Northampton lose the line-out and Munster get running. Hello, welcome to live coverage of Munster against Northampton Saints from Thomond Park in Pool B of the Champions Cup. Earlier, Munster took a giant leap towards retaining the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship title thanks to a 26-17 bonus-point win over Leinster at Musgrave Park. Northampton put pressure on the Munster defence and get into their 22 but Fin Smith gives away the ball with a poor pass. Haley kicks ahead after Munster intercept. Munster concede a penalty and Northampton survive. 26 mins: Coombes turns over the ball in midfield and then keeps the ball in well from a Northampton kick. Chance for Northampton but big tackle by Casey. Northampton could not break through once, despite the extra man for much of the half. Munster push for the line but face a brick wall.

Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent.ie live blog of Munster against Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup at Thomond Park. My name is Dylan ...

See PA story RUGBYU Munster. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.