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2025 Northampton Saints vs Munster Rugby

Pollock's Late Heroics Secure Thrilling Victory For Saints Over Munster

Pollock's Late Heroics Secure Thrilling Victory For Saints Over Munster

Follow live updates, as Munster Rugby takes on the Northampton Saints in a crucial Investec Champions Cup clash to decide home ties in the knockout rounds.

Jan 18, 2025 by Philip Bendon
Pollock's Late Heroics Secure Thrilling Victory For Saints Over Munster

The Northampton Saints edged Munster Rugby in a pulsating clash, securing a 34-32 victory thanks to a crucial turnover by young backrow Henry Pollock in the dying moments of the match at Franklin’s Gardens.

The match was a seesaw affair, with both sides exchanging scores throughout. 

Munster staged a late comeback, closing the gap in the final minutes after Diarmuid Kilgallen’s second try of the evening in the 78th minute, converted by Jack Crowley, left them trailing by just two points. 

Despite mounting pressure, it was Pollock’s pivotal intervention in the 80th minute that sealed the Saints' hard-fought victory.

The Saints started brightly, with Tom Seabrook scoring the first of his two tries in the 13th minute. Though Fin Smith missed the conversion, Northampton maintained momentum. 

Munster responded swiftly, with Calvin Nash crossing twice in the first half, but a yellow card to Gavin Coombes proved costly for the visitors. The Saints capitalized through Curtis Langdon’s try on the stroke of halftime, converted by Smith, to trail 15-12 at the break.

The second half saw Northampton wrestle control, with tries from James Ramm and Seabrook, alongside Smith’s consistent kicking, extending their lead to 34-25 by the 68th minute. However, Munster’s never-say-die attitude was on full display, as Kilgallen added his second try late to set up a nervy finish.

Pollock, stepping up under immense pressure, delivered two game-defining moments in the final 10 minutes. A defensive turnover deep in Saints territory at a critical juncture ensured Munster could not complete its comeback, cementing his status as a rising star for Northampton.

Fin Smith was instrumental for the Saints, contributing 14 points with the boot, while Crowley kept Munster in contention with 12 points of his own. Despite Munster’s late surge, the Saints’ resilience, and Pollock’s heroics, saw them claim a memorable victory.

The win is a significant boost for Northampton, showcasing the team's grit and ability to close out tight matches. 

For Munster, it was a performance full of heart, but it ultimately left the team ruing missed opportunities and Pollock’s game-winning interventions.

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POLLOCK DOES IT AGAIN! 

Munster makes a huge break down the pitch through Jack Crowley and looks for all the money to be on its way to a famous win! 

Young Henry Pollock pulls off a second huge moment to claim the big win and, with it, the home draw through the knockout stages!

TRY! Diarmuid Kilgallen! Min 78!

Munster strikes with time running down! 

At the very least, Munster will have two bonus points with Crowley nailing the touchline conversion! 

There is one minute to go, and it is all to play for! NOR 34 - MUN 32.

WHAT A PLAY!

Young backrow Henry Pollock stops a certain Munster try by chasing back and stopping Paddy Patterson. The backrow doesn't appear to release Patterson, but the refs miss it, and he stops the Munster attack dead in its tracks! The reputation of the world-class youngster grows!

TRY! Tom Seabrook! - Min 67

That's a hat trick! 

From a squad player to the star of the day, Tom Seabrook races away for his third try of the day to give Northampton some breathing space, and Fin Smith drills the conversion to put the Saints nine points clear! NOR 34 - MUN 25.

TRY! Diarmuid Kilgallen! - Min 64 

Munster is right back into this one! 

Conor Murray was the architect, rolling back the years with a few snipes before pulling off the 'Gregan' behind-the-back pass to put the winger into the gap. 

The giant former Connacht winger powers away, and Jack Crowley nails the conversion to bring Munster back within two points! NOR 27 - MUN 25.

Diarmuid Kilgallen Try Northampton vs Munster


PENALTY! Fin Smith! - Min 58

Thomas Ahern concedes his third penalty since entering the fray! This one is right in front, and the Saints cancel out Munster's penalty through Fin Smith! NOR 27 - MUN 18.

PENALTY! Jack Crowley! - Min 57

Edging closer! 

Jack Crowley splits the uprights with a well-taken long-range penalty to bring Munster back inside 10 points. NOR 24  - Mun 18.

TRY! James Ramm! - Min 55

Northampton is flexing their muscles here! 

Quick thinking from a rolling maul sees the ball fizz out to Fin Smith, who tips the ball onto James Ramm, who races through! Fin Smith nails the conversion! NOR 24 - Mun 15.

Roaring Crowley!

The Munster fly-half is fired up for what is a major test against his English international opposite number Fin Smith. 

Covering back to stop a brilliant kick from Northampton, he clears with his weak foot and immediately looks to the crowd to rile up the Munster fans, who respond with a big roar. 

This is what it is all about in the Investec Champions Cup.

TRY! Tom Seabrook! - Min 48

The Saints are in again, and it is Seabrook again! 

Smith misses the conversion, but Northampton is crucially in the lead just before Munster gets back to 15 men with Gavin Coombes coming on. 

Munster is making four changes with a whole new front row and Tom Ahern on for Fineen Wycherley. NOR 17 - MUN 15.

Tom Seabrook 2nd Try: Northampton vs Munster


Second Half Underway!

Fin Smith gets things underway for what promises to be an arm wrestle in the second half with huge playoff implications! 

Key First-Half Stats

Possession: Northampton Saints 69% - Munster 31%

Territory: Northampton Saints 59% - Munster 41%

Top Carrier: Northampton Saints: Tarek Haffar -10 - Munster: Calvin Nash - 6

Top Tackler: Northampton Saints: Curtis Langdon - 10  Munster: Diarmuid Barron - 14

Halftime Report

It is never dull when these two sides clash, that's for sure! 

Northampton started and ended the half the brighter of the two sides, but Munster was clinical when given an opportunity in between those efforts and rightly held a lead, albeit a narrow one. 

Gavin Coombe's yellow card, combined with Curtis Langdon's try at the end of the first half, will give the Saints some impetus to start the second half. 

Conversely, Munster no doubt will be focused, having taken a rather comfortable lead, and likely will continue to take any points on offer. 

Why do we mention this do we hear you say? 

Well, Munster, in recent seasons, has come in for criticism for its willingness to turn down relatively straightforward shots at goal in favor of going for tries. 

In Round 3, Munster struck when possible against Saracens, and today, that once again appears to be the tactic.

TRY! Curtis Langdon - Min 40

Northampton lands a blow right on the stroke of halftime from a powerful maul! 

Controlling the ball masterfully was hooker Curtis Langdon, who remained patient to bring Northampton back within a score, while Munster was down to 14 men, with Gavin Coombes shown a yellow card for a high tackle. 

The shot itself was inconspicuous, but it was the fourth penalty in a row Munster had conceded inside the Saints' 22. 

Fin Smith drills the conversion, and it is game on once again heading into the second half! NOR 12 - MUN 15

TRY! Calvin Nash! - Min 32

The Ash Splash?! 

Forget that it is the Nash Splash at the Gardens! The Ireland winger is having himself a day, as he finishes off a superb effort to put Munster two scores clear! Jack Crowley just missed the conversion, but Munster leads by 10. MUN 15 - NOR 5 

Calvin Nash 2nd Try | Northampton vs Munster


PENALTY! Jack Crowley! - Min 27

Following a superb 50:22, Munster launches a strong attack inside the Saints' 22 and is rewarded with a penalty for Northampton players getting in the way while they are returning onside. 

Jack Crowley makes no mistakes, and Munster adds to its lead.  MUN 10 - NOR 5.

TRY! Calvin Nash! - Min 22

Back in the game! 

Munster has one opportunity, and Calvin Nash strikes! 

It all started with a line-out steal from captain Tadhg Beirne, before Conor Murray kicks forward, and Nash did the rest! 

Outpacing Alex Mitchell and Curtis Landgon, Nash streaks away. Jack Crowley drills the touching conversion, and Munster are in front. MUN 7 - NOR 5.

Calvin Nash Try | Northampton vs Munster


TRY! Tom Seabrook! - Min 13

Northampton hits the front following phases of pressure from the forwards before the ball went wide to flying winger Tom Seabrook, who trots over untouched! Fin Smith misses the conversion. NOR 5 - MUN 0.

Tom Seabrook Try | Northampton vs Munster


Fizzing But Not Popping

Continuing the trend of probing and pressing each other, both sides have come close to breaking free only to come unstuck. 

The Saints look to be more likely to break wide, but Munster has come up trumps with turnovers, in particular Alex Kendellen, who has won two ruck turnovers already.

Open Prairie

We are in the midst of an intriguing feeling-out process through this opening five minutes. 

Both sides have looked to go wide early and have had joy in doing so. 

Northampton has been going aerial with cross-field kicks, while Munster has opted to go through the hands initially with intricate inside balls and then going wide when on the front foot.  

Kickoff - Northampton Saints Vs. Munster Rugby

Munster's Irish international fly-half Jack Crowley gets us underway here at Franklin's Gardens for what has a real feel of an old-school Champions Cup showdown! 

The Stadium is packed, and rightly so, for two of European Rugby's royalty sides.

Exciting Prospect To Debut

Munster winger Diarmuid Kilgallen is set to make his competitive debut against the Northampton Saints in a vital Pool 3 encounter. 

Kilgallen returns after recovering from a wrist injury and replaces Shane Daly, who is undergoing return-to-play protocols following a head injury assessment during Munster’s gritty win over Saracens. 

The 22-year-old Kilgallen will aim to make an impact, as Munster looks to leapfrog the Saints, with both sides vying for home advantage in the next round. 

The match also will see hooker Diarmuid Barron start ahead of Niall Scannell in Munster’s revamped lineup.

Sweeping Saints Changes

The Northampton Saints have made six changes for Saturday’s Pool 3 decider against Munster Rugby. 

Curtis Langdon, Alex Coles, Tom Pearson and Juarno Augustus bolster the pack, while fly-half Fin Smith returns after illness, and Fraser Dingwall is named at inside center. 

The Saints lead Pool 3 and already are through to the last-16, but they need a victory to secure a home knockout tie. 

Munster, currently second, is equally motivated, as a win would guarantee home advantage in the next round. 

With both teams making strategic adjustments, this promises to be a thrilling, high-stakes encounter.

Munster Icon O'Mahony Back In Action

Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony has been named in Munster’s starting lineup for its crucial Round 4 Investec Champions Cup clash with Northampton Saints. 

O’Mahony, 35, has been sidelined since mid-December with a calf injury but returns as one of three changes from the side that edged Saracens 17-12 last weekend. 

Munster sits second in Pool 3, and a win on Saturday would guarantee a home tie in the last-16. 

Meanwhile, Northampton, already qualified and leading the pool, needs a victory to secure its own home advantage in the knockout stages.

Team Lineups

Northampton Saints

1. Tarek Haffar, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Trevor Davison, 4. Alex Coles, 5. Tom Lockett, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Tom Pearson, 8. Juarno Augustus, 9. Alex Mitchell, 10. Fin Smith, 11. Tom Seabrook, 12. Rory Hutchinson, 13. Fraser Dingwall, 14. Tommy Freeman, 15. James Ramm.

Substitutes: 16. Henry Walker, 17. Tom West, 18. Luke Green, 19. Callum Hunter-Hill, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Tom James, 23. Tom Litchfield.

Munster Rugby

1. Dian Bleuler, 2 .Diarmuid Barron, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O'Mahony, 7. Alex Kendellen, 8. Gavin Coombes, 9. Conor Murray, 10. Jack Crowley, 11. Diarmuid Kilgallen, 12. Rory Scannell, 13. Tom Farrell, 14. Calvin Nash, 15. Mike Haley.

Substitutes: 16. Niall Scannell, 17. John Ryan, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Thomas Ahern, 20. Jack O'Donoghue, 21. Paddy Patterson, 22. Tony Butler, 23. Brian Gleeson.

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures In Round 4

Investec Champions Cup Format 

Key points of the 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup:

  • A multi-pool format, as launched in the 2023-2024 season
  • 24 elite clubs - eight each from the Gallagher Premiership, URC and TOP 14 - in four pools of six
  • Sporting jeopardy, with each club playing against four different opponents, home or away, in the pool stage
  • Four highest-ranked clubs in each pool qualify for the Round of 16
  • The Investec Champions Cup will be played over eight weekends, with four pool rounds and four knockout rounds culminating in the 2025 final, which will be staged at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

Investec Champions Cup Weekends

  • Round 1 – 6/7/8 December 2024
  • Round 2 – 13/14/15 December 2024
  • Round 3 – 10/11/12 January 2025
  • Round 4 – 17/18/19 January 2025
  • Round of 16 – 4/5/6 April 2025
  • Quarter-finals – 11/12/13 April 2025
  • Semi-finals – 2/3/4 May 2025
  • 2025 Investec Champions Cup final – Saturday, May 24, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

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When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

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