A half to forget from Munster but they will not be happy at some refereeing indecision
Chris Ashton endeared himself to the 3,000 travelling Munster supporters as he clumsily took out Simon Zebo as he jumped for a high ball. The England winger showed no intention of contesting for the ball and bumped Zebo, forcing an awkward landing and a stoppage in play.
Romain Poite requested a video replay but took no action and Ashton escaped any sanctions.
Saracens were in the ascendancy, early on, after an early Owen Farrell penalty and as converted Chris Wyles try that was brilliantly created after Billy Vunipola’s decoy run committed Andrew Conway.
Farrell added another penalty, after Saracens scrum dominance, to make it 13-0. To add to a disastrous half, in which Duncan Williams struggled, CJ Stander limped off injured. Ian Keatley tagged three points back on 33 minutes.
Worse was to follow, however, on 36 minutes when Wyles’ grubber set up Ashton to touch down. Farrell added a conversion and a penalty to make it 23-3 at the break.
Denis Hurley gave Munster supporters brief hope but Ashton scored a second as the game ended 33-10.
Munster XV: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Pat Howard, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha, Dave Foley, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony (c), Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander
Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, Ronan O’Mahony, JJ Hanrahan, Keith Earls.
