Lions stars spur Saracens into European final

British and Irish Lions stars Mako Vunipola and Owen Farrell played pivotal roles as English champions Saracens advanced to another European Champions Cup final.

Saracens, the England and European titleholders, were too strong for Irish province Munster, winning 26-10 in Dublin yesterday.

Vunipola, the England loosehead prop, was part of an excellent Saracens scrum which had Munster on the back foot in the critical set piece.

The 26-year-old rumbled over for Saracens’ first try in the second half.

Farrell added 14 points with the boot and replacement Chris Wyles collected a second try for Saracens.

Munster, who had played well in the first half, had to be content with a late consolation try to Ireland’s Lions flanker C J Stander.

Saracens fielded five members of the Lions squad to tour New Zealand - Farrell, Vunipola and his brother Billy, and locks George Kruis and Maro Itoje.

Munster had two Lions - Stander and fellow backrower Peter O’mahony.

Saracens will play the winner of today’s second semifinal between Clermont Auvergne and Leinster. The final will be held in Edinburgh on May 13.

Meanwhile, English club Gloucester upset French premiership leaders La Rochelle 16-14 to advance to their second European Challenge Cup final in three seasons.

Billy Burns, the Gloucester first fiveeighth, scored all the Cherry and Whites’ points with an intercept try, a conversion and three penalties.

Gloucester were captained by former Crusaders halfback Willi Heinz, who had fellow Kiwis Tom Marshall, Jeremy Thrush, Josh Hohneck and John Afoa alongside him as well as Wales and British and Irish Lions backrower Ross Moriarty.

La Rochelle were without injured ex-all Blacks Victor Vito and Jason Eaton.

Gloucester booked a berth in the May 12 final in Edinburgh where they will play the winner of today’s second semifinal between Stade Francais and Bath, coached by former All Blacks skipper and Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.