Plotting reality check for Sarries

Doug Howlett has been there before, enjoyed the highs of Test rugby and brought the feelgood factor into his club the following week.

So the Munster captain knows exactly how Saracens’ England contingent will be feeling ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash in Thomond Park.

Four Saracens backs, Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell and Alex Goode, will have marched into training in north London on Monday flush with the glow of a memorable victory over world champions New Zealand and brimming with the confidence they will take into this weekend’s Pool A clash with Munster.