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Pool 1

Munster v Saracens: 3 key battles to decide the outcome

Rob Penney’s side are in Thomond Park tonight, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe.

Donnacha Ryan v Mouritz Botha

THE SOUTH AFRICAN lock was a notable absentee from England’s November series given that he contributed so much to steadying the ship during the Six Nations.

For his club he will arrive in Thomond Park with something to prove.

Saracens line-out is a crucial aspect of their game. And while Munster won’t kick the ball away much in dry conditions, disrupting the visitors here could be key.

In the opening two rounds of European action, Sarries, didn’t lose a single line-out and managed to steal six times – a tally only matched by… Munster.

With Steve Borthwick and Donncha O’Callaghan on the field, these two will be very much a secondary option at line-out time, but that will mean they will be asked to do all the hard graft elsewhere on the field.

Ronan O’Gara v Charlie Hodgson

They’ve been squaring up against one another for quite some time, but rarely have they met with Charlie Hodgson in such impressive form and O’Gara with his star on the wane.

Hodgson is the tournament’s top scorer so far with 40 points after the Premiership side put Edinburgh to the sword before seeing off Racing Metro. Add to his tally three try assists and it means he has scored or provided 55 of Sarries’ 75 points.

Still, class is permanent, as they say. Hodgson’s form is only going to be grist to the mill of a proud fly-half and we expect O’Gara to issue a timely reminder of why he should be held in such high esteem.

Though Munster will largely stick to the ‘new’ gameplan. O’Gara will surely relish the opportunity of turning the massive Saracen pack on its heels, sticking them back into their own territory just as they’re building a head of steam.

Simon Zebo v Chris Ashton

If you’re looking for pace, it will all be on this side of the field. The Doug Howlett v Chris Wyles match-up sounds like a walkover in waiting for the All Black, but we can only wait with baited breath for what’s in store if these two find themselves in a straight race.

Undoubtedly, Hodgson will look to test the back three early on with some high balls for his rabid chasers, but Zebo has proved time and again this season that he is as comfortable in the air as he is with clear space in front of him.

Ashton scored on his last visit to Thomond Park with Northampton, and keeping him quiet will go a long way towards ensuring Munster top Pool 1 going into the return fixture.

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