Murray Kinsella reports from Allianz Park
THERE WAS AT least one Irishman who enjoyed proceedings at Allianz Park this afternoon as Saracens swept Munster aside to reaffirm their status as Champions Cup contenders.
Mark McCall won 13 caps for Ireland as a player, before moving into the coaching world with the Ireland U21s and Ireland A. The Down man led Ulster to a Celtic League title in 2006, before eventually taking his skills to Saracens in 2009.
2011 saw McCall guide the club to a Premiership title in his role as director of rugby, since when they have emerged as one of Europe’s leading sides. If they can deliver more performances like today’s, they have every chance of winning silverware again this season.
“Probably not beforehand,” said McCall post-match when asked if Saracens had expected such dominance over Munster.
“We know a performance like that is in us, and we talked during the week about delivering a big performance playing against a team who have a history of raising their game and raising their level for games like this.
We wanted to be that team today, and we needed a performance like that. I think that’s going to give the team great belief as to what we’re capable of. Despite a small sense of frustration we didn’t get the fourth try today, I thought it was a really good performance against a good team.”
The 33-10 victory over Anthony Foley’s side at Allianz Park moves Saracens back into contention to top Pool 1 and advance into the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup as pool winners.
The only thing that stands between them and that lofty position is a meeting with Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin next weekend.
“I suppose we’re now in a position when we go to Clermont that if we win, we’ll win this pool,” said McCall. “So that’s what our intention is going to be.”
More immediately, the Ulsterman reflected on a highly satisfying performance from his charges against a poor Munster, with number eight Billy Vunipola leading the charge on numerous occasions.
McCall shared the praise among his squad, however, after they ran three tries past Munster.
“Billy was phenomenal today, a force of nature in attack and defence, everything,” said McCall.
I thought we had outstanding performances right throughout the group today. Chris Ashton was outstanding for us, not just his two tries which were good, but some of his kicking game in the first 20 minutes of the game.
“Across the board, we had some top performances.
“I think everybody knows we’ve stuttered a bit this year. It was great to have Brad Barritt produce 60 minutes like that, having not played a minute in two months. It’s amazing really, and when you get big personalities like that back you’re led brilliantly.”
