Following Munster’s 17-12 win over Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup, here are our winners and losers from Thomond Park.

Winners

Tadhg Beirne

Fitting he was named Player of the Match as the Munster forward was just immense in his side’s win. Beirne just seemingly appeared in the exact right place at the exact right time, and came up with some heroic efforts off the back of it. Set to play a vital role for Ireland in the Six Nations.

Jack Crowley

It wasn’t vintage for the most part, but when it mattered most he showed he could get the job done. He managed their comeback well in that final quarter, and his ice-cold kicking helped push his side that bit further ahead after their two quick-fire tries. Crowley also ended the game with the most metres with ball-in-hand, notching 60 from his 10 carries. This should please Simon Easterby no end ahead of the Six Nations, as he will want a fly-half who can do exactly this.

Tom Willis

Whilst he wasn’t as impactful as he has been in recent weeks, he just worked his blood to water in a busy shift. Willis topped the charts for carries across the game, with 17 to his name (making 49 metres in the process) and he was just as solid on the other side of the ball with 13 tackles to his name. This workhorse performance will give his Six Nations hopes another push.

Gavin Coombes

Munster’s number eight was also in good touch, as he went toe-to-toe with the England hopeful. Coombes grew into the game as it went on, and came up with a crucial carry in the build-up to his side’s opening score. A really solid shift from the back-rower.

Ben Earl

After a quiet few weeks, Earl put his best foot forward against Munster. He made himself incredibly busy around the park, with 18 tackles to his name and 11 carries as well. This is the sort of workmanlike performance Steve Borthwick will want to see from Earl, and whilst it came in a defeat, it will transfer nicely over to the England jersey.

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Tom Farrell

Whilst not necessarily a game for backs, Farrell was able to make some decent in-roads through the intense Saracens defence. He chipped in with 11 carries and a tidy line break too, and was otherwise solid in attack and contributed well when given time on the ball.

Champions Cup

Just a genuine slobber-knocker, and just the sort of game the Champions Cup needed. Whilst it wasn’t the high-scoring attacking thriller people want from the modern game, it made up for it with its sheer intensity and physicality throughout. This fixture was as close to a Test match as you could get at club level, and that is exactly what this competition should be.

Losers

Alex Lozowski

Just not his night tonight as he slipped off his usual standards. He came up with a few uncharacteristic errors in attack, which in turn gifted Munster possession back in good territory, and also threw some wobbly passes which stopped some decent chances. A shame for him ahead of the England squad selection next week.

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Fergus Burke

Whilst he was fine for the most part, his missed drop-goal proved a serious turning point in the game. Just minutes after the miss, Munster grabbed two quick-fire tries to take the lead, and ultimately the win. Fine otherwise, but this was the game-breaking moment.

Liam Williams

It might be a tad harsh to call him a loser considering he didn’t do much wrong, but he blew a genuinely golden opportunity in the final stages which could have won his side the game. You would usually expect him to ice moments like that, but if truth be told that error probably summed up Saracens’ night.

Saracens

It was there for the taking, but they just couldn’t get the job done. In very un-Saracens style, they just repeatedly missed the killer blow when they looked to cross the whitewash. Be that through knock-ons, of which there were many, a misplaced pass or even a Munster steal, Saracens just couldn’t work their way over the try-line and it came back to haunt them in the end. One of those that just got away.

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