1999/00 Final: Northampton Saints 9 Munster Rugby 8

The most famous meeting between the two sides came at the turn of the century, when Northampton Saints battled to a narrow 9-8 victory in the 2000 final of EPCR’s leading competition.

Twickenham played host to a nervy game, in which a young Ronan O’Gara- now a two-time winner of EPCR’s leading competition as a coach with La Rochelle- missed four chances from the tee for Munster, while his Northampton opposite Paul Grayson kicked all of the victors’ points.

Munster scored the only try of the game through David Wallace, but it went unconverted. A drop goal from Jason Holland was not enough for the Irish province, with Grayson’s three penalties the difference as Northampton lifted their first title.

2009/10 quarter-final: Munster Rugby 33 Northampton Saints 19

O’Gara’s misses might have proved costly in 2000, but by 2010 he was one of the most prolific kickers in the game and he worked his magic when Munster met Northampton at Thomond Park in a quarter-final match-up.

Munster crossed four times to Northampton’s one try, with O’Gara kicking two conversions and three penalties.

Paul Warwick, Jean de Villiers and a brace for Douglas Howlett proved the difference as Northampton fell to defeat in Limerick, despite Jon Clarke’s converted score and Stephen Myler’s four penalties.

2011/12 Pool Stage: Munster Rugby 23 Northampton Saints 21

In a thrilling Pool Stage match-up, it was a last-minute drop-goal from O’Gara which sealed victory for hosts Munster.

There were two tries apiece, with Munster’s Damien Varley and Northampton’s Chris Ashton both scoring converted tries in the first ten minutes, before Doug Howlett scored before the break for the hosts.

O’Gara added the extras for that as well, but it was his opposite number in Ryan Lamb who seemed to be giving his team victory; despite missing the conversion for Northampton’s second score via James Downey, his three penalties seemed to be giving Northampton victory.

That was until Munster held possession with the clock in the red, setting up the perfect chance for O’Gara to steal the show once more- an opportunity he duly dispatched.

With the Pool Stage draws having been made for the Champions Cup 2023/24, we’re having a look at some of the biggest match-ups. This time it’s the turn of Northampton Saints and Munster Rugby, who renew acquaintances in Pool 3.