Lord of the Dance
Northampton Saints vs Munster Champions Cup Preview
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Northampton Saints vs Munster Champions Cup Preview

IRISH PROVINCE MUNSTER will be looking to make amends in the Champions Cup this week when they travel to Northampton Saints home ground on Sunday. 

Graham Rowntree's men lost out in a tight affair in Thomond Park against Toulouse last week, while Northampton were well beaten by current holders La Rochelle in France.

The two sides haven't played each other since 2012 and will both be looking to gain advantage in Pool A.

The game promises to be another interesting one.

Here's more detail for the game on Sunday (1pm)

Limerick , Ireland - 26 November 2022; Munster players Joey Carbery and Jack Crowley,hoto By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

When is it on?

Sunday, December 18th

What TV station is it on?.

The game is on BT Sport 1. It is also being streamed live on the BT Sport Player.

What time does it start?

Kick off is at 1.00pm Irish time

What time does coverage start?

The coverage starts from 12.30pm

Where is it on? 

Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton

Odds for the game

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/european-rugby-champions-cup/northampton-saints-v-munster/winner

Teams for the game

Munster  

Fullback: 15. Mike Haley;

Winger: 14. Calvin Nash

Centres: 13. Antoine Frisch, 12. Jack Crowley,

Winger: 11. Keith Earls;

Outhalf: 10Joey Carbery.9,. Scrumhalf 9, Conor Murray

Front row: 1., Jeremy Loughman, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. John Ryan

Second row: 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne

Backrow: 6. Jack O’Donoghue, 7. Peter O’Mahony (C), 8. Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Dave Kilcoyne, Roman Salanoa, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Craig Casey, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly.

Northampton Saints

Fullback: 15.George Furbank

Winger: 14. James Ramm

Centres: 13, Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson

Winger: 11.Tommy Freeman

Outhalf: 10. Fin Smith 9,. Scrumhalf. Alex Mitchell

Front row: 1 Alex Waller, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Ehren Painter

Second row: 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 David Ribbans

Backrow: 6.Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:  16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Aaron Hinkley, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Fraser Dingwall

Where are both teams in their domestic tables?

Northampton are  are sixth in the Gallagher Premiership table

Munster are eight in the the URC table.

What happened last time the sides met ?

Both sides have played each other six times in the competion

The last time was in 2012, where Munster won 51-36 away.

What have the people said ?

Northampton's Phil Dowson:"All the Irish sides are very good in Europe and they raise their game in the European tournament.

"We know sort of what we're going to get from Munster and we've had some really good battles with them in the past.

"We're excited because the Gardens is one of those European venues that will produce a really good atmosphere, like La Rochelle.

"Munster traditionally travel really well in terms of their fans so the stadium will be packed, lively.

Munster's Mike Haley: They have really engaging support that get behind their team and in Europe you love to go to places like that, almost that cauldron environment when you go in there and you know you’re going to have to play your best rugby, otherwise you’re going to be on the back foot.

“You want supporters who are going to be engaged and singing, and that’s what they give to their team so it’s a really exciting prospect.”