Saints finish strong to end Munster's Champions Cup campaign

Munster's Investec Champions Cup hopes are over for another year, as Graham Rowntree's side faded in the final quarter against an impressive Northampton Saints side.

For the third time in four seasons the province have been beaten in the Round of 16, with a pair of second half tries from George Hendy sending the Premiership side into the next round, where they will host the Bulls.

It had been a gripping cup tie for the first hour, with Munster's control of the breakdown, and a typically impressive display from Tadhg Beirne, giving them the platform for their two first half tries, as Mike Haley and Sean O'Brien crossed to leave it evenly balanced at 14-14 by half time.

Munster's lineout struggled in the second half, while their scrum also tired, with Stephen Archer having to play the full 80 minutes at tighthead, and it was those set-piece issues that saw the game slip away from the two-time champions.

The hosts scored four tries in total, with James Ramm and Tommy Freeman crossing the line prior to Hendy's brace, and the ease with which they got those scores will be deeply frustrating for Munster coach Graham Rowntree.

The first of those tries came nine minutes in, with Ramm scoring off Northampton's first real attack, having spent the majority of the early stages defending.

Munster went straight back on the offensive to draw level through wing O’Brien (below) and the frantic pace of the opening quarter continued as the rivals took it in turns to threaten the whitewash.

The visitors were clearly on top, however, with their growing dominance founded on their ability to retain possession and intent to keep the ball moving, tactics that were creating holes in the home defence.

Haley was the next over after scrum-half Tom James had