Saracens boss Mark McCall: People are stupid if they think Munster are vulnerable at Thomond Park

Mark McCall insists that people are "pretty stupid" if they think Saracens will get anything easy against Munster at their Limerick home.

This is the 12 meeting of two of Europe's most decorated sides and while Munster are edging it on the head to head with six victories, they won the first four of the rivals' meetings since the classic 36-35 win for the Reds in 1999.

All three of Saracens' Champions Cup titles were secured years after Munster's two in three year haul between 2006 and '08 - but McCall's side have not been a force in the competition since their 2018 final victory over Leinster.

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The Bangor man wants that to change this year and Sarries have won their first two pool games, while Munster are still without a permanent head coach since the sixth game of the season and have blown hot and cold this season.

Their narrow loss to Castres before Christmas means the hosts need a Thomond Park victory to prevent needing a win at Northampton next weekend but while Jack Crowley, Conor Murray and Jack O'Donoghue return for Ian Costello's men from the URC loss to Leinster, Peter O'Mahony remains sidelined with a calf injury.

Jack Crowley
(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

Nevertheless, with over 20,000 tickets sold, McCall is expecting a typical Thomond Park occasion for his Premiership visitors to handle as Sarries look for their first ever win at the famed and feared venue.

“We are going to one of the great European grounds," said McCall. "It is going to be a great experience for this new group. If you think Munster at home are vulnerable you are probably pretty stupid.

"People have short memories. They won the URC two years ago, they were top of the log in the URC after the regular season last season.

"We have been to Thomond Park a couple of times since I have been at Saracens and we haven’t won there but it is a great, great place to go.

"Some of our players who have been there have talked to some of the players who have not been there about what to expect but hopefully what to enjoy as well.

"It is a good test for us. It will be a beneficial experience come what may but we do also have an opportunity and let’s see if we can take it.”

Liam Williams is back on the right wing and Phil Brantingham returns at loosehead in Sarries' two changes from last week's Premiership win over Bristol Bears that keeps his side third in the table.

Maro Itoje of Saracens
(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Sarries skipper Maro Itoje makes his 50th Champions Cup appearance - and his second row partner is Harry Wilson, who makes his full debut in the competition.

Munster make the case that they are taking these two games in a week against Premiership opposition as a double-header but the fact remains that they must deliver at home.

"We need to be on it on both sides of the ball in the next two weeks in terms of being able to shut teams down but also taking our opportunities and creating as well," said the Reds' attack coach Mike Prendergast.

"It's a huge game. You're playing a team full of quality, they showed that last week against a good Bristol team. They're third in the Premiership which is an incredibly competitive competition this year. You need to be on your game in that competition - and they look like they are.

!It's a big challenge, it's one we're thoroughly looking forward to. Having the week off after Leinster, you reflect a bit. The best place you can play is Thomond Park on a Saturday afternoon at half five, against a team like Saracens - Munster and Saracens go back a few years. If that can't whet your appetite, I don't know what can."

Munster: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Brian Gleeson.

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