Munster head coach Johann van Graan expects 'massive challenge' from Saracens

Munster head coach Johann van Graan is expecting a stiff challenge from Saracens as they lock horns with each other in the fourth round of the Heineken Champions Cup at Allianz Park on Saturday.

A win in the weekend can further increase the gap between Munster and the Premiership club which is at five points now but van Graan is wary of the challenge ahead.

“So, massive challenge ahead,” said Van Graan to the official website of EPCR.

“We are playing against the very best team in Europe currently. They’ve got so much quality within their squad and what they do.

“I think both teams couldn’t really show everything they had on the weekend, because you only had 40 minutes to do what you wanted with ball in hand, just because of the conditions in the second half.”

The last time these two teams met was at Thomond Park when the Irish side got away with a 10-3 win as the Sarries were without a number of England international regulars.

With Racing 92 also in the same group, the Pool was touted to be one of the toughest in the competition and the former Springboks forwards coach wants to move a step closer to the quarter-finals with a second win over Saracens in two consecutive weeks.

“It was evident when the draw came out that it was going to be a brilliant two weeks in terms of the challenge,” he added.

“A lot of times you can’t say ‘it doesn’t get bigger than this’, but in terms of European rugby, going to London on Saturday afternoon against Saracens, they’re currently the best, so looking forward to seeing where we are.”