HEAD TO HEAD
Strangely ignored by England, Goode is a superb decision-maker who brings calm to the Saracens back-field and offers plenty of threat when they have the ball. Scottish international Maitland is an excellent attacker who thrives on the front-foot ball Saracens provide, but he is not quite as sharp when going backwards. Such a talented footballer he was once on the books of Chelsea, but Saracens have found a home for the erstwhile No 10 in their midfield. An all-rounder. Captain Barritt is one of the toughest players around and his return is timely. Will lead the Saracens defence relentlessly and make tackles, but has a lot of miles on the clock. The Lions starting full-back is a superb broken-field runner who can blow a tight game wide open. Munster will hope to expose his work under the high ball, but daren’t kick loosely. Back after a short absence, the England out-half is a class act who can dominate a game from start to finish. Usually gets silver service from his pack, Munster must force him into errors. Known for his breaking threat rather than his accurate tight game, Spencer will look to exploit any space around the fringes and keep the defence honest. Can be pressurised. Outstanding against Ireland, the England star is back after a two-month lay-off and Sarries will hope he gets up to speed quickly. Devastating in the loose, can be got at at the scrum. The Lions hooker is a superb contributor to the Saracens cause, offering security out of touch and a big engine around the park, where he puts his bulk to good use. The USA international gets the nod over experienced Springbok Vincent Koch and while he is an inferior scrummager, he’ll bring bundles of energy and ball-carrying menace. A world-leading second-row who shares the same billing as James Ryan and Brodie Retallick, Itoje combines wondrous athleticism with power and energy. Discipline can let him down. Saracens’ lineout strategist will be tasked with keeping Peter O’Mahony at bay out of touch, while contributing to the tight game to allow Itoje to roam. The South African brings huge energy and physicality to the Saracens cause and will offer another lineout option to Kruis and George. Will carry all day. A tough-tackling, hard-carrying back-row, Wray isn’t a noted poacher, but he can affect the game in a number of other ways. In the news for all the wrong reasons, the ball-carrying England star will be keen to change the narrative with a big display. An incredible physical presence, he’s still not back to his best. McCall has a couple of experienced, heavy hitters to bring into the fray. Will Skelton’s heft and the big-game nous of Schalk Burger (left) will be key. Unappreciated in his own land, smart former Ulster centre McCall has built a formidable team that can win a number of ways, starting with their excellent defence. Signed from Sale as Simon Zebo’s replacement, Haley knows Saracens well. The full-back has had his moments in the red jersey and brings a nice running game to the party, but he is prone to errors. Has developed into a far more rounded player than the free-scoring teen sensation, but he still possesses a finisher’s touch and in Earls’ absence he’ll be needed to come to the fore. Farrell’s combination of a towering physical presence and the deftest hands is probably Munster’s greatest point of difference from two seasons ago. They’ll need him to bring the works. Arguably the unsung hero of this Munster team, Scannell offers himself as a willing carrier but also gives a left-footed kicking option to the backline and distributes well. A good decision-maker. Ireland winger Sweetnam comes in for the injured Keith Earls and has big boots to fill. The Corkman is a supremely talented runner with a strong aerial and defensive game. He can hurt Sarries. Appears to have overcome his injury woes and needs to be at his best today. A key decision-maker whose option-taking will be tested to the limit by an aggressive, clever defensive line. It is possibly unfair, but the hopes of an entire province rest on his shoulders. His ability to stay composed and guide the team around in the faceofformidableopposition will be key. Finding form. In the form of his life, Kilcoyne needs to be at his abrasive best. Always a willing carrier, the Limerick man needs to repeat his dominance over USA international Lamositele from November. TheMunsterhookercanheap pressure on Rory Best with a big performance against England’s Jamie George. His work out of touch needs to be on point against a strong defensive lineout. Ryan must use his opportunity in the scrum to sap energy from Mako Vunipola by asking him hard questions. Munster will also look to their tighthead for a high work-rate around the pitch. Much depends on Kleyn’s fitness because the second-row is the workhorse in the engine room. They need the South African to dominate collisions and contribute at ruck, maul and set-piece time. One of the players of the tournament to date, Beirne can demonstrate his class with a big display. Munster need his energy in the carry and, crucially, breakdown work to be on point to have a chance. The captain can’t have one of his quiet afternoons. This needs to be one of those days where he makes big plays all overthepitch,particularlyat the breakdown. If it passes him by, Munster are doomed. The least-experienced memberofthestartingpack, O’Donoghue has earned his place in the starting XV and brings freshness and energy to their carrying game and breakdown work. The high-octane Ireland No 8 must find the level of performance he managed against the All Blacks as he faces down Billy Vunipola. Can’t be a blunt instrument if Munster are to thrive. Ablendofpace,experience and power on the bench, with Alby Mathewson able to change the tempo along with RhysMarshall(right).Arno Botha was big off the bench in Edinburgh. In his first full season, Van Graan has managed to get the team back to a semi-final from a tricky pool and that’s no mean feat, but this is a real test of his game-plan as Munster step up in class.