Searching test for Munster

If Pontypridd provided something of a mirror image of Munster in terms of tradition and a proud sense of parochial identity, then Saracens are cut from a similar cloth with regard to style of play.

The main fear for Munster is that Francois Pienaar's experienced band of professionals will apply their forward power better when the packs lock horns at Vicarage Road tomorrow (2.15).

Discussing the prospect of these two colliding a week ago, the Pontypridd coach Richie Collins began by declaring "Sarries are nothing special, they've a strong line-out and drive the ball off it a lot. They play percentage rugby. They do it well though. In fact, they're a lot like Munster, but they're a helluva big side."

This realisation prompted him to opt for a home win, a fair call particularly given Munster's solitary tally of one away win in the previous four years of the competition, and that, in effect, a dead rubber in last season's final pool game in Padova.

"They play very similar to ourselves," admits the wily Munster manager Brian O'Brien. Nonetheless, whether being the cute Munsterman or not, he seemed almost to be fearful of opponents who were champions of England two seasons ago, third last season, and despite dropping Paul Wallace, can still name nine internationals in their starting lineup, including the entire back five in the pack.

Although unbeaten this season in seven games, O'Brien went further than agreeing that this would require Munster's best performance of the season. "It will require their best performance ever to win it. Saracens are a very well prepared side. We really will have to be at our best, but they're capable of playing their best, they're an honest side."

Surprisingly, O'Brien even went so far as to reinvoke the spirit of '78. "On paper we should have no chance but then again Munster didn't have a chance against the All Blacks. We've watched them (Saracens) and they've only played sporadically so far, but when they did they were a great side. The one bit of hope is that maybe they haven't been going for 80 minutes this season, although how much that was down to them having eight players in the World Cup I don't know."

Even with their World Cup players back in harness last week though, they suffered another late defeat to Colomiers, which admittedly will only make their desire greater tomorrow. By the same token, Munster haven't really hit their stride this season, especially the backs, a comment perhaps on the potential of the team.

So far they've been able to rely on big plays from any one of their pack at various intervals of the game, and this game will demand a sustained effort from the Munster pack for them to have any chance.

The Munster management will give Dominic Crotty every chance to recover from the toe injury which sidelined him last week. But with Cian Mahoney already ruled out, if Crotty is as well then Mike Mullins will revert to centre in any case, and Jeremy Staunton's irreverent temperament will be given one of it's biggest tests. Likewise the half-backs, Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara.

What would constitute Munster's finest European Cup victory to date may be slightly beyond them, though they're in better shape than ever to achieve it. Either way come 4 p.m. or thereabouts and we'll have a much clearer indication as to how good this Munster team really is.

SARACENS: M Mapletoft; R Constable, J Thomson, K Sorrell, R Thirlby; T Lacroix, N Walshe; R Grau, G Chuter, J White, S Murray, D Grewcock, R Hill, T Diprose, F Pienaar (capt). Replacements: M Powell, B Johnson, D Flatman, P Wallace, M Cairns, K Chesney, P Ogilvie.

MUNSTER: D Crotty/J Staunton; J Kelly, K Keane, M Mullins, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, K Wood, J Hayes, M Galwey (capt), J Langford, A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: J Staunton/J O'Neill, J Holland, T Tierney, M Horan, M McDermott, D O'Callaghan, E Halvey.

Referee: D Mene (France). Previous meetings: None.

Odds (Paddy Powers): 1/3 Saracens, 20/1 draw, 2/1 Munster. (Handicap betting - Munster +8pts) 5/6 Saracens, 16/1 draw, 5/6 Munster.