Munster interim head coach Ian Costello says his team will rue the failure to edge out Northampton Saints and secure home advantage in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.
In a gripping European contest at Franklin's Gardens, Munster threatened to roll back the years with a famous comeback victory. Diarmuid Kilgallen’s late try and Jack Crowley’s superb touchline conversion meant the two-time winners of the competition trailed by two.
With the clock in the red, Munster launched one last attack. The hosts however held firm, engineering a turnover to claim a 34-32 win.
The result leaves Munster in second spot in the pool on 12 points, with one of Saracens or Castres certain to pass them out when they meet tomorrow in London.
Progress is assured, but they will be on the road rather than Limerick next time out in the competition.
"We don’t expect a home round of 16 tie, I don’t think two points is enough," Costello said after the defeat. "We expect Sarries to win tomorrow.
"It’s really disappointing. We had an opportunity to get a round of 16 game at Thomond Park, which we haven’t had for a while. That’s what was at stake and that’s what is so disappointing about this.
"We would expect Sarries to get four or five points tomorrow unfortunately."
