Big incentive to scupper Saracens

Munster won’t want for incentive in London this weekend. In Jean Kleyn’s permutations, beating Saracens at Allianz Park Saturday not only keeps Munster’s hopes alive of Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final qualification, but also offers the opportunity to extinguish the aspirations of the defending champions.

Their narrow defeat in the teeth of Storm Atiyah at Thomond Park last Saturday condemned Saracens to a second defeat in Pool 4, following their opening-round loss at frontrunning Racing 92. Mark McCall’s side sits in third on six points, five behind Munster and six adrift of the Parisians. Which makes this meeting in north London a pivotal contest for both parties.