Standing in their way were their Premiership-based challengers who did not want for support either and although the sold-out sign was not raised both sets of fans were a credit to their sides and the competition.

Well lubricated thanks to the delights on offer in the sponsor’s village they were all in good voice by the time the action rolled around.

Sarries made a blistering start to the game and would go on to more than hold their own and defy the supposed script for this semi-final.

You were left in no doubt as to the importance of this clash for both sides with the physicality matching the occasion.

Sarries were here to play and they showed their intent early on – some uncharacteristic handling from Munster was pounced upon by the Premiership side.

Richard Haughton sparked a counter-attack and he found a willing cohort in Glen Jackson – his chip ahead found Kameli Ratuvou and he fed Adam Powell who did his best to escape the Munster cover.

Hauled down just short Ratuvou was perfectly placed to pick up the scraps before diving over for the score.

With the game less than five minutes old, Saracens had done what Premiership rivals Gloucester had failed to do in eighty-minutes in their quarter-final clash with the Irish province.

Unsurprisingly back Munster came and it was the normally reliable boot of O’Gara who put them on the board just two minutes later but the nerves were there for all to see.

The subdued Munster crowd were kept quiet by an upbeat and determined Saracens effort and their endeavours were helped as Munster failed to find their clinical best.

The normal shot in the arm that is a passionate rendition of Fields of Athenry stirred the soul but failed to galvanise the Munstermen.

Even the experienced head of Alan Quinlan showed signs of frustration - appealing to the referee as yet another decision went against them.

Man of the match Paul O’Connell was having another timely stand-out performance just when his side needed it.

And the Munster support had their faith restored when O’Gara cut through to score midway through the half.

Bizarrely the simple conversion required a trip to the TMO who ruled out O’Gara’s kick that sailed high and wide.

Saracens’ work rate continued to bring them joy in terms of field position but they were unable to turn that into points.

And as is often the case they were punished when a break from Doug Howlett had them scampering back deep inside their half and before they knew it Alan Quinlan had skipped through to dot down in front of the Munster support.

O’Gara’s conversion brought an end to the half and an eight point deficit was hard on Sarries who perhaps deserved more for their endeavours.

But they only had themselves to blame for not capitalising on the possession and more importantly the territory they had in the opening period.

You couldn’t help but think that maybe a side with greater experience in such a scenario would have opted for a drop goal instead of all-out attack.

With the safety cushion of that late score there was time for some laughs from the Munster supporters during the half-time break who greeted a ‘try’ from their side’s mascot with as must fervour as that of O’Gara’s effort.

The heavens opened as the side’s re-entered the Arena and needing to score first to open this match up, Saracens obliged through the boot of Jackson.

Sarries remained on the front foot and the game looked to have swung in their favour when Munster play-maker Rua Tipoki was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball.

Jackson edged his side nearer with the subsequent penalty but this game was as changeable as the weather and there was still plenty of rugby to play.

And it took its next twist just two minutes later.

Tempers continued to bubble and on the hour mark Nick Lloyd was on his way to the bin for letting off a rally of punches on Denis Leamy.

The cameras failed to highlight what sparked the attack but it is fair to say his response was pretty ferocious and he could not argue with the sanction.

O’Gara failed with the penalty attempt – could it be Sarries’ day?

Another two minutes later and the tide turned again when Cencus Johnston fell foul of referee Nigel Owens.

Now I’m sure the Samoan is an intelligent man – anyone who can get themselves to the international rugby stage is a gifted and clever man so I’ll put his transgression down to a momentary – and costly - lapse.

O’Gara stepped up to slot what turned out to be the match-winning penalty while the prop was left to reflect on his mistake.

But Sarries, down to 13 men, refused to buckle and raised their game again, and weathered the confusion of uncontested scrums until Lloyd returned.

Jackson then pulled his side back within range with a penalty and it was game on with ten minutes to go.

Johnston’s return brought a roar from the Sarries faithful who sensed they could still upset the odds.

Time after time they through everything they had at Munster, battling them and the elements in search of a match-winning score.

First Powell lost the ball in the tackle with Jackson ready to launch a drop goal.

Then Sorrell knocked on in another promising field position.

And then the whole crowd were on their feet as Johnston powered his way into the 22 where support came first in the form of Moses Rauluni and then Richard Hill.

But the inspirational back row forward was pounced upon by the Munster defence who snuffed out the attack and with it Saracens’ title challenge.

“It wasn’t to be,” reflected Saracens boss Alan Gaffney when he came to face the press. “I couldn’t have asked for anymore.”

Gaffney was generous in defeat but rued a game of “small margins” and how his side had “allowed Munster easy-outs” before revealing that he had fought back tears while addressing his side after the game.

A smiling Declan Kidney was a relieved man after watching his side book their fourth final appearance.

“It was pretty nerve-racking the whole game,” he insisted before heaping praise on his side.

“We scrimped and clawed and crawled our way to where we are and it is a huge achievement for this side.”

In the end this brave Saracens side were not found wanting for effort or skill – far from it.

Instead all they lacked was a little experience when it came to the crunch, a little street-wise know-how that their opponents have honed over years of intense highs and lows of previous European campaigns.

I love this tournament. Bring on the final.