Sarries keeping ear out for Irish accents

Rugby fans "with an Irish accent" seeking club tickets to Munster’s crucial Champions Cup clash at Saracens next month "will be treated with suspicion", the Aviva Premiership club has declared.

Saracens are already taking steps to ensure their home game on January 17 won’t be stormed by Munster’s red army and the English club have put a vetting system in place to ensure club tickets do not find their way into the hands of Munster supporters.

Sarries are understandably keen to keep the occasion from becoming another memorable Munster away day.

Sarries, coached by former Ulster supremo Mark McCall, have advised their supporters that they must have their tickets bought by tomorrow.

And in a note on the club’s website to fans, the Premiership club declares: “Remaining tickets will go on general sale next week.

“Munster are probably the best supported club in Europe, and have already been allocated their 1,000 tickets (10% of the total available) as requiredby the competition regulations.

“Any spare tickets will be quickly snapped up on general sale by members of the Munster Red Army.

“They will all be made to feel most welcome at what we consider to be the most friendly sports stadium in Europe but, with respect to our Irish friends, we would rather see every available seat filled by Saracens supporters.”

Sarries say that until tomorrow, tickets will only be available to Saracens season-ticket holders seeking extras — or to anybody who bought tickets to two or more matches at Allianz Park this season.

The club adds: “Bona fide Saracens supporters who have neither bought a season-ticket nor purchased tickets for two or more matches at Allianz Park so far this season may apply for tickets by calling the Supporter Services office at 0203 675 7200, leaving a message outside office hours, and their request will be considered. Callers with an Irish accent will be treated with suspicion.”