Munster honoured Anthony Foley with a remarkable bonus point victory over Glasgow, Northampton were thrashed by Castres, Clermont overcame Bordeaux and Saracens got the job done against the Scarlets
7.27pm BST
So to surmise, there’s been a quite remarkable bonus point victory for Munster in a fitting tribute to Anthony Foley, a high-octane win for Clermont against Bordeaux, a thumping for Northampton at Castres and a case of job done for Saracens against the Scarlets.
As ever, many thanks for reading. Bye!
7.25pm BST
Saracens run out comfortable winners in the end, they were not at their best, nowhere near as good as last week, but with the kind of individual brilliance that they have they did not need to be.
Nick Tompkins was excellent as a late replacement for Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell continues to impress on his comeback from injury and Richard Wigglesworth was typically classy. The big concern will be Maro Itoje, who went off with a hand injury.
7.15pm BST
That is typical of Saracens though. Less than a minute later Michael Rhodes cruises over after a delightful Farrell pass. The Scarlets really did make a mess of the restart.
7.13pm BST
Jonathan Davies has his try and, not for the first time, you have to credit the Scarlets’s spirit. Farrell converts so the Scarlets trail by 11 points and Sarries have a man in the bin. First things first, a losing bonus point …
7.09pm BST
Ben Spencer goes to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on but the Scarlets wants a penalty try with Jonathan Davies denied receiving the ball with the try-line beckoning. It’s not awarded and Saracens win a penalty at the scrum.
7.05pm BST
There’s a lengthy stoppage while Jake Ball receives treatment. Farrell has added another penalty by the by.
6.58pm BST
Alex Sanderson has been interviewed on Sky Sports and asked about Itoje’s injury – he says he’ll have to see someone to have it assessed in a pretty matter-of-fact manner but that, combined with Itoje’s body language suggests it may not be good news.
So if Itoje has an injury that means he can’t play against the Springboks, is that enough potential opensides out to constitute ‘exceptional circumstances?’ Does the new EPS agreement even contain the words ‘exceptional circumstances?
6.49pm BST
Chris Wyles finishes off a swift counterattack from Saracens to wrap up the bonus point and end any distant hopes of a Scarlets comeback.
6.42pm BST
Oh dear, Maro Itoje has been forced off with what looks like a finger/hand injury. Eddie Jones will be worried about that. And after Alistair Hargreaves recent retirement, Kruis’ ankle surgery and a failure to agree a deal for Eben Etzebeth, Saracens are considerably short at lock if he’s out for any length of time. Jackson Wray replaces him.
In better news, Marcelo Bosch has their third try after a rampaging run from Mako Vunipola and a delightful cross-field kick from Farrell, who lands the conversion.
6.40pm BST
The Scarlets are playing some good stuff at the start of the second half – after going through plenty of phases it’s Mako Vunipola, who else, that forces a timely turnover for Saracens.
6.15pm BST
Patchell and Farrell exchange penalties before the Scarlets fly-half adds another just before the break. Saracens are far from their best at the moment but some moments of individual brilliance from Mako Vunipola and Tompkins are enough for an eight-point lead.
6.02pm BST
Tompkins, a late replacement for Barritt remember, is having a blinder and he’s scythed his way through the Scarlets defence for Sarries’s second try. The hosts have indeed moved up a gear. Farrell converts from in front.
5.58pm BST
The Scarlets are certainly defending resolutely but Saracens are beginning to build some momentum, getting around the corner a couple of times. Farrell adds a penalty for a four-point lead.
5.49pm BST
Bad news for the Scarlets and potentially Wales as Liam Williams, so impressive last weekend against Sale, hobbles off. In better news, Patchell converts his second penalty.
5.45pm BST
Saracens have been probing so far – one early run from Schalk Brits was excellent and while Rhys Patchell had kicked Scarlets into an early lead, Sarries breakthrough on 11 minutes. Mako Vunipola – is there a better loosehead in the world at the moment – is the man with it. Owen Farrell adds the extras.
5.30pm BST
There’s a late change for both teams at inside centre. Brad Barritt is ruled out with a neck injury so Nick Tompkins comes in and Owen Farrell is made captain. Fot the Scarlets, Scott Williams is a late withdrawal so Hadleigh Parkes comes in.
5.20pm BST
Ah – Sarries v Scarlets is a 5.30pm BST kick-off, so we’ve time to catch our collective breath. Just over 10 minutes to go now …
5.19pm BST
It’s finished with a flourish at Clermont – Sitaleki Timani scores Clermont’s sixth try, and in the last minute Gauthier Doubrere gets Bordeaux’s fifth. The long and short of it is another bonus point win for Clermont and what may prove an important losing bonus point for Bordeaux.
5.08pm BST
Meanwhile, Saracens v Scarlets is kicking off in a little under 10 minutes … so here are your teams.
Team News | Here is your @Saracens side to face @scarlets_rugby in @ChampionsCup R2 at @AllianzPark (Sat, KO17h30 )#ProudToBe pic.twitter.com/yE7wREqfEW
Your team to take on @Saracens in the second round of @ChampionsCup at Allianz Park tomorrow, kick-off 5.30pm. #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/HBZvpLjy2g
5.07pm BST
Bordeaux have their bonus point try, scored by Metuisela Talebula. Lionel Beauxis converts.
5.03pm BST
Try No5 for Clermont – a delightful finish for David Strettle with measured chip over the top. Bordeaux had registered their third with another for Buttin so with eight minutes to go they have something to chase.
5.01pm BST
Emphatic. Castres were impressive, far better than their defeat to Leinster last weekend, but Northampton were just awful. They’ve scored only 10 tries in the Premiership – the second least – and for a long time they looked like they may finish scoreless. They had chances in the first half but they look completely drained of confidence. Jim Mallinder has major issues to address.
4.59pm BST
Clermont have their fourth try through Sebastien Vahaamahina and are heading for their second bonus point win of the competition. Indeed, they’re set to be the first team to make it two wins from two, but you’d fancy Saracens to join them a bit later.
4.56pm BST
Try No5 … oh dear. The replacement scrum-half Antoine Dupont makes plonkers of the Northampton defence, dances around them and splashes over in the corner. If Saracens’ was the best away performance from an English side in Europe then this can’t be far off the worst. Dumora converts again.
4.54pm BST
Well that didn’t last long did it. Smith, who already has two tries, turns provider for Alexandre Bias who goes over down the left. Julien Dumora converts, but that’s the bonus point Castres wanted, and deserved really.
4.51pm BST
Huzzah! Northampton have some points! It’s Wilson who goes over, finishing off an overlap on the right after more good work from Hutchinson. It looks so easy when it comes off … Stephen Myler converts.
4.49pm BST
Castres are struggling to get the fourth try and it’s beginning to effect them – they’re giving penalties away with the try-line in sight. It’s a damning indictment of Northampton that their main goal now is to deny their opponents a bonus point but they deserve nothing for their own efforts.
As an aside, Courtney Lawes has been average today. Following George Kruis’s ankle surgery you’d prefer him in better form if you’re an England fan.
4.42pm BST
Here’s the match report from Munster’s remarkable bonus point win over Glasgow for you to digest …
Related: Munster honour Anthony Foley with emotional victory over Glasgow
4.40pm BST
Hmmm. As poor as Northampton have been, things aren’t going their way. Lee Dickson tapped a penalty and Kockott tackled him far too early. Having already been shown a yellow card it really should have been a red … but the referee didn’t agree. The fact that Castres then hooked Kockott immediately suggests the coaches did.
Castres, to rub salt into the wounds, scythe through Northampton from their own line to the Saints 22. Northampton scramble though, so the put in to the scrum is theirs.
4.38pm BST
Clermont have turned the tide – Wesley Fofana is over for their third try of the afternoon. Parra converts this time. So who’s going to score the bonus point try first, Clermont or Castres? My money’s on Clermont.
4.32pm BST
Clermont appear to have turned the tide against Bordeaux with their second try of the match, shortly after half-time. This time it’s Alexandre Lapandry with the score.
4.26pm BST
Better from Northampton, first Haywood, then Hutchinson go up the middle. Tom Wood has rolled up his sleeves and is getting stuck in as well. Castres scramble well though, even if there looked like a high tackle in there somewhere.
4.22pm BST
That’s the end of Dylan Hartley’s day, replaced by Mike Haywood on his first appearance for six weeks. If Eddie Jones was watching he’s probably turned off now.
4.20pm BST
Try No3 for Castres and that is game over. It came from a mistake from Michael Paterson and a clever dart from Kockott off the base of Castres’ dominant scrum and then the hosts just do the simple things right, work the ball wide to Smith on the left, who ghosts over for his second. Far, far too easy. Urdapilleta is on target with the conversion.
4.15pm BST
Northampton are on their way back out, no doubt with their ears still ringing. They really should be closer to Castres on the scoreboard but basic mistakes have cost them. A losing bonus point is the target now you feel.
4.13pm BST
Clermont have nosed themselves ahead at the break – Noa Nakaitaci’s try on 33 minutes converted by Parra but it’s a far closer contest there than at Castres …
4.00pm BST
That’s another try for Castres, and that’s excellent from Kockott. Spotting the Northampton right wing James Wilson out of position he kicks over the top, gets lucky with the bounce, and after a phase or two, the prop Antoine Tichit powers over. Urdapilleta converts just before half-time. Northampton are treading water. Game over?
3.55pm BST
Teimana Harrison is playing, apparently. How his stock has fallen since the summer … Saints only have themselves to blame for this really, they’ve had their chances, went for the corner each time but haven’t been accurate enough.
3.53pm BST
The visitors have a second try at Clermont – Jayden Spence going over this time. Madigan converts again but Parra has since added a third penalty to keep the hosts in touching distance.
3.51pm BST
But there’s the breakthrough. Tulou rampages through the middle again and this time David Smith is on hand to take the offload and cruise under the posts. Castres are down to 14 don’t forget. A long way back for Northampton.
3.49pm BST
Castres march Northampton back in the scrum again, and so Urdapilleta will have a ging from 50m. Castres came close to first try a few minutes ago, but Horacio Agulla was denied in the left corner after a fine break from Tulou up the middle.
Urdapilleta doesn’t have the distance so it’s as you were.
3.46pm BST
Parra has another penalty for Clermont, who are back to within a point against Bordeaux.
3.44pm BST
The referee has had enough of Castres infringements – and after Kockott is caught blatantly off his feet he’ll spend 10 minutes in the sin-bin. Saints go for the corner again but Harry Mallinder’s grubber comes to nothing.
3.39pm BST
Saints are coming back at Castres, whose No8 Alex Tulou is getting a ticking off from the referee Ian Davies. Northampton opt for the corner rather than the posts, they’re almost over … so we’ll go to the TMO. “Try, yes or no?” is the question, but Picamoles is short so we’ll have a scrum.
It’s a huge scrum from Castres, who clear their lines through Rory Kockott.
3.34pm BST
A try from Jean-Marcellin Buttin, converted by Ian Madigan, has Bordeaux in front at Clermont, who are on the board with a Morgan Parra penalty.
3.32pm BST
A last-ditch tackle from George North stops a Castres try after Northampton are carved apart by a lovely out-the-back pass from Robert Ebersohn. Castres were playing advantage though, and Urdapilleta is on target again.
3.28pm BST
Benjamin Urdapilleta is on target with a penalty after good work from the Castres blindside Mathieu Babillot. Northampton haven’t started yet.
@gerard_meagher "Northampton haven't started yet" is the title of our end-of-season highlights DVD
3.25pm BST
Northampton are under early pressure but are keeping Castres at bay for the moment. Rory Hutchinson clears their lines and earns the visitors a breather.
3.18pm BST
A minute’s silence is observed before kick-off in Castres, and a minute’s applause at Clermont v Bordeaux, where there is plenty of red in the crowd.
Rugby :minute d'applaudissements poignante à Clermont en hommage à Anthony Foley (Munster). La Yellow Army était Red #RIPAxel @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/bPgC9l3MGY
3.15pm BST
Here are your teams for Castres v Northampton. A reminder that Castres were thoroughly beaten by Leinster last weekend while the Saints squeezed past Montpellier. Dylan Hartley makes his first appearance for Northampton since 11 September.
Team confirmation! KO 3:15pm UK time. https://t.co/hqtWH67Ysv pic.twitter.com/z9Z48ngAGp
3.13pm BST
Just five minutes to go until kick-off in two more of the afternoon’s matches – Castres v Northampton and Clermont v Bordeaux – but the celebrations and tributes will continue for a while yet at Thomond Park.
I’m getting ahead of myself here but if Munster play like that for the rest of the competition, they may make it all the way to Murrayfield in May. And wouldn’t that be a fitting tribute to Foley.
3.10pm BST
Peter O’Mahony is speaking now, “God, I hope we did him proud today.”
3.07pm BST
The whole of Munster’s staff – playing and coaching – as well as Anthony Foley’s boys and his wife, Olive, are in a huddle on the pitch, singing Stand Up And Fight.
3.04pm BST
Glasgow go through umpteen phases before spilling the ball and Keatley boots the ball off the pitch for full time and the end to a spectacular performance from Munster. They were down to 14 men for 61 minutes but they steamrollered Glasgow, who had no answer.
CJ Stander, Dave Kilcoyne, Tyler Bleyendaal, Peter O’Mahony … Munster’s heroes were all over the pitch. You had to feel for Keith Earls and although his tip tackle on Fraser Brown probably warranted a red card, it was Earls who made the initial break for Bleyendaal’s first try which sparked this performance.
2.57pm BST
Munster have the game won now as The Fields of Athenry rings out around Thomond Park once again. This has been some tribute to Anthony Foley.
2.55pm BST
That’ll do it. Munster, rolling back the years, go through phase after phase. No unnecessary risks, just giving it to the forwards and making a few yards at a time, marshalled superbly by Murray. And after Stander makes yet more ground, Scannell is over in the corner. Ian Keatley, on for Bleyendaal, converts.
2.51pm BST
Here they come again, spreading the ball through the backs, but Sean Lamont knocks on – a bad mistake. Munster scrum in the Glasgow half, and they won’t be rushing it.
2.50pm BST
Surely another one Glasgow, who attack from deep through Mark Bennett with Munster down to 13 temporarily … but what a tackle from Sweetnam. He did fantastically to deny Ali Price but the Warriors keep it alive and Bennett goes over. Russell converts … Glasgow need two converted tries for a draw!
2.43pm BST
Glasgow came close to a try a few minutes ago – on one of the rare occasions they have put width on the ball, Rory Hughes had a dart down the left but the covering Munster defence shoved him out of play.
But Glasgow have their score through Pat McArthur, the replacement hooker. A textbook driving maul. Surely there’s no way back but these may be valuable points nonetheless in what is shaping up to be a tight pool. Russell converts.
2.37pm BST
Peter O’Mahony is being replaced for Munster and he receives a huge round of applause. The sting has been taken out of this game a little – Munster have their bonus point and Glasgow cannot get anything going.
2.30pm BST
Glasgow are getting their hands on the ball a bit more often but they can’t do anything with it. Inevitably, they’re going for broke but that’s playing into Munster’s hands.
2.21pm BST
A penalty try. Inevitable really. And that’s the bonus point! Remarkable stuff.
2.19pm BST
Munster get the march on in the scrum … Stander picks up and goes for the line, and he doesn’t quite get there. There’ll be another Munster scrum but Stander was perhaps a little overeager there, the Warriors pack was in all sorts of trouble.
Glasgow replace their tighthead, it makes little difference. Munster have the advantage and are battering away but don’t quite get there. We’ll come back for the penalty, and another scrum. Anthony Foley would be relishing this.
2.15pm BST
Munster have picked up from where they’ve left off, and after Sweetnam wins the kick-off, Munster forwards go through the phases. Standers takes them close and Conor Murray snipes for the post … it’s going to the TMO again … no try. Alex Allan, the replacement prop, does very well to keep Murray from the left post. Munster scrum, five metres out.
1.58pm BST
And here’s a spot of half-time watching, courtesy of John McEnerney …
@gerard_meagher Watch Axel, Gaillimh & Woody combine 2 beat The Old Enemy! He had great days in green 2!Magic stuff! https://t.co/QBo588fr1S
1.58pm BST
And breathe. At the end of a frenzied first half, the long and short of it is that Munster lead by 21 points. They have been inspired. Their aggression and ferocity has been too much for Glasgow, who may rue failing to take advantage of a brief bit of possession in the Munster half just before the break.
Dave Kilcoyne and CJ Stander have set the tone for Munster while Peter O’Mahony has been wonderful on the floor. They have scored tries through Bleyendaal, Taute and Zebo – the latter despite losing Keith Earls to a red card on 19 minutes.
1.50pm BST
Relentless. Absolutely relentless. It’s another Munster penalty, it’s kickable but Munster have gone for the corner … O’Mahony scents another try. Donnacha Ryan takes the lineout but Glasgow force the maul into touch.
1.45pm BST
What a break from Rory Scannell, what footwork. And it sends Simon Zebo dashing towards the line in the left-corner. Stuart Hogg makes a great tackle, but Zebo isn’t held and he reaches for the line, and gets there. The TMO is going to rule on it – and he’s been asked any reason … the roar tells me that it’s been given!
Try No3 for the 14 men of Munster. And Bleyendaal nails another conversion from the left touchline.
1.38pm BST
If anything, Munster had raised the intensity since going down to 14. They just obliterated the Munster scrum and both Kilcoyne and Stander are carrying remarkably well. The result of that scrum was a penalty … and Bleyendaal makes no mistake.
1.33pm BST
Jerry Flannery, Munster’s scrum coach, is asked if Garces had any choice but to send Earls off. “Well, he had the choice not send him off,” is his pointed response.
1.31pm BST
A spot of confusion there, but Earls has been sent off for a tip-tackle on Brown. And, taking the emotion out of the match, it was the right decision. Russell misses the ensuing kick though. Munster’s ferocity is showing no signs of abating.
1.28pm BST
Earls is in a spot of bother here though … it looks like a tip tackle on the Glasgow hooker Fraser Brown. Referee Jerome Garces is speaking francais with the TMO … an anxious wait for Earls. If he follows the letter of the law the Irishman should probably see red.
And it is going to be red!
1.24pm BST
Munster’s line speed is something else. Earls and most recently Taute have put in some thunderous hits already. If the occasion was going to either inspire or get the better of Munster it’s pretty clear which way it’s going at present.
Aptly for a man wearing 24 and playing at number eight, CJ Stander is playing like three blokes. Epicentre of Munster's energy.
1.20pm BST
Munster are over again! What a start for the hosts. It’s Jaco Taute, the outside-centre, with the finish but it owes plenty to Bleyendaal, whose delightful delayed pass opened the gap. It all came from Munster’s ferocity though. Dave Kilcoyne is making carry after carry and it was CJ Stander with the crucial turnover on the Warriors 22.
Bleyendaal converts, right-footed, from the left touchline. He’s having some Champions Cup debut … and the Red Army is belting out The Fields.
1.15pm BST
The Warriors have done well to take the sting out of proceedings after Munster’s ferocious start. And Finn Russell has the visitors on the board with a straightforward penalty after Peter O’Mahony was pinged at the breakdown.
1.09pm BST
Try! It’s been a breathless start. Glasgow kick-off but Munster’s strong ball-carriers have the hosts on the front foot. Keith Earls makes the break through the middle, finds the fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal, who bursts for the line in the left corner. He’s caught by the covering defence but his momentum takes him over. And the Christchurch-born No10 converts.
1.03pm BST
A number of the Munster players are in tears as supporters in one of the stands hold up a huge sign that reads ‘8 Axel 8’.
1.01pm BST
The players are on their way out on to the pitch. Jonny Gray leads Glasgow out and into a huddle, Peter O’Mahony follows suit for Munster. A lot of deep breaths being taken by the players, who line up for a minute’s silence.
12.57pm BST
So many achievements, so many memories of Axel. Today on the Thomond Park big screen we remembered just a few..#MUNvGLA pic.twitter.com/q2XUb3a5wy
12.56pm BST
Five minutes until kick-off. The soprano singer Sinead O’Brien is performing Stand Up And Fight.
12.52pm BST
With 10 minutes until kick-off, here are the teams …
In tribute to Anthony, the number 8 jersey will be retired for tomorrow's game. CJ to wear number 24 #MUNvGLA pic.twitter.com/kH6Fox3R9N
Here is your Warriors side for today's @ChampionsCup match at Thomond Park! pic.twitter.com/oGDErO5zRf
12.50pm BST
Both directors of rugby have just been interviewed, Gregor Townsend acknowledges the significance of the day. He’s hoping for an inspiring match …
12.47pm BST
Thomond Park is on its feet, applauding the choir. It’s clear that supporters are determined to make today a celebration of Foley’s life. Galwey says he hopes today “is the start of something new”, referencing Munster’s decline on the pitch since they were the leading lights of Europe, lifting the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008.
12.43pm BST
The choir is now singing There’s An Isle, the anthem of Shannon.
12.38pm BST
The Munster Rugby Supporter’s Club choir is now singing The Fields of Athenry … as is the rest of Thomond Park.
First rendition of The Fields. pic.twitter.com/k6Y5AsfRTq
12.37pm BST
Mick Galwey and Alan Quinlan are the pundits on Sky Sports – two former players incredibly close to Foley. Both speaking very eloquently. Galwey is describing Friday as ‘a great funeral’ and you know exactly what he means.
12.36pm BST
And Glasgow will be following suit …
On the right sleeve of our shirts this afternoon is a black armband with 'Axel' on it in memory of Anthony Foley pic.twitter.com/bHL1NEQNhB
12.30pm BST
Munster's crest on the jersey.
Pic via @DanSheridan2012. pic.twitter.com/AdTLAJE56W
12.21pm BST
Hello, and welcome to round two of the European Champions Cup on an emotional day for the rugby union community, still shaken to the core by the death of the Munster head coach Anthony Foley, at the age of 42, last Sunday. Munster have decided to proceed with today’s match against Glasgow – Rassie Erasmus and Peter O’Mahony explaining that it gives Munster the chance to pay tribute to “Axel” on Wednesday during a tear-jerking press conference.
Related: Anthony Foley, a Munster legend to his core and ‘proper rugby bloke’
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