‘EXTRAORDINARY’ DEFENCE HELPS SARACENS TO FINAL

MARK McCALL hailed Saracens’ ‘extraordinary’ defence as they swept aside Munster to reach the Champions Cup Final.

The holders will defend their crown in Edinburgh on May 13 against Clermont or Leinster, who meet in today’s other semi-final.

Saracens were forced to absorb a ferocious first-half onslaught in Dublin, yet still led 6-3 at half-time before pulling clear through Mako Vunipola and Chris Wyles’ tries.

‘Our defence was extraordinary. We soaked up pressure and coped with their attack really well,’ said director of rugby McCall.

Victory nudged Saracens closer to a repeat of last season’s European and domestic double and, given the manner in which they demolished Munster, they have every chance of emulating the Leicester sides of 2001 and 2002.

Mako Vunipola’s 54th-minute try was the pivotal act that put Saracens two scores ahead and from that moment it was a procession punctuated by the occasional feverish attack from the Irish province.

Replacement wing Wyles added a second try and through Owen Farrell kicking 16 points, they equalled Leinster’s unbeaten European record of 16 matches.

It was an ugly spectacle scarred by endless kicking, the first half alone seeing boot put to ball on 48 occasions, and it continued after the interval but this time Munster’s sights were off.

CJ Stander’s late try offered little consolation for the Irish side.