Casey relishing Sarries battle

Munster hooker Duncan Casey believes the province should be encouraged by the performance in Clermont ahead of the Champions Cup round five trip to Saracens in the new year.

Despite losing back-to-back games to Clermont in rounds three and four, Munster left Stade Marcel-Michelin on Sunday evening with a precious losing bonus point to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the European knockout stages. Casey played his part, pouncing for an intercept try five minutes from time, Ian Keatley converting and then delivering a penalty with the last kick of the game and move Munster inside the magic seven-point losing margin barrier at 26-19.

With both their rivals failing to gain bonus-point wins at the weekend, it leaves Anthony Foley’s side four points adrift of Pool One leaders Clermont and three behind second-placed Saracens, just about in with a chance of reaching the last eight. Nine points from the remaining two games would give them a chance, as Saracens also have to go to Clermont in round six, but that means the least they must do is win at Saracens’ Allianz Park on the weekend of January 16/17/18 and then hope for a home win in the final pool fixture against Sale Sharks the following weekend, with a four-try bonus point essential in one of those games.