Smart Sarries stifle Munster

You could have substituted South African World Cup-winning captain John Smit’s comments after last week’s trip to Thomond Park with those expressed by his illustrious Springbok predecessor Francois Pienaar all of 13 seasons ago.

Smit and his hooking colleague Schalk Brits were blown away with the atmosphere in Limerick and learned a valuable lesson about the link between those on the field, and those supporting them.

Saracens have been searching for an identity since Munster made that significant Heineken Cup breakthrough with a stunning 34-35 win here at Vicarage Road in 1999. Back then, the Saracens matchday experience incorporated Pom Pom girls, a remote controlled model car that brought the kicking tee on for French out half Thierry Lacroix and a support base who sought identity by wearing Fez hats.