LOWDOWN ON: SARACENS

HOW YOU BEAT THEM...

It doesn’t happen often, but the key is to take your chances against them because they don’t come along too often.

The European champions’ success is built on their

‘Wolf Pack’ defence with centre Brad Barritt the fulcrum of the operation with a hardnosed reputation.

Leinster must establish field-position and keep the ball – and take their opportunities when they come.

HOW THEY BEAT YOU

Saracens squeeze and squeeze until their opponents pop, allowing the men in black to find the space they’ve created and exploit it.

Their set-piece is strong, their defence gives very little opportunity up and their attacking structure is cleverly designed to allow Owen Farrell to release the danger men.

HEAD COACH

He missed out on Ulster’s Heineken Cup triumph in 1999, but former Ireland centre Mark McCall has made up for it as a coach by leading the Premiership side to back-to-back Champions Cups in the past two seasons. He has built on the foundations put in place by Brendan Venter to shape Saracens into one of the meanest teams in the competition’s history.

KEY THREAT

In a team packed with international talent, Liam Williams (pictured) offers something different on the wing and has enjoyed his previous visits to this venue. Match odds: Leinster 3/10, Saracens 13/5, Draw 19/1