GODS AND MUNSTER
Awesome Sarries excited by chance to win Euro semi at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium - the graveyard of English rugby
BRAD BARRITT insisted Saracens can triumph in the graveyard of English rugby dreams after booking a Champions Cup semi-final in Dublin.
Two tries for Chris Ashton against outclassed Glasgow did more than give the winger a share of Vincent Clerc’s tournament scoring record.
It secured a last-four clash with Munster at the Aviva Stadium, where England’s Grand Slam dream died a fortnight ago and Wasps were thrashed by Leinster on Saturday.
Given the strength of Munster and the size of their fan base, this will be the toughest of Sarries’ five consecutive semi-finals in Europe’s premier club tournament.
Factor in the emotion Munster will bring to the occasion in honour of Anthony Foley, who died suddenly during the pool stages, and the north Londoners face a trial by fire.
Yet captain Barritt claimed: “We don’t see it as a daunting prospect, we see it as an exciting opportunity.
“We know it will be a cauldron with the Munster fans and we will have to build towards it. But we know what we need to do to get the emotion and physicality right.”
As England discovered to their cost last month, hammering Scottish opposition in the London sunshine provides zero guarantee of success across the Irish Sea.
But Saracens believe they have a team spirit forged in adversity across the years that will protect and embolden them on the biggest stage.
“You have to create an awareness of what’s coming,” said boss Mark McCall, who saw Ashton bookend his 35th and 36th European Cup tries either side of scores for Marcelo Bosch and Barritt.
“Thomond Park is one thing; this is going to be completely different. There will be 50,000 Munster fans and an emotional element to the game which we have to make sure we’re able to cope with.
“But we’ve players who have been through it all before, who experienced what they did with England two weeks ago. We’re a team who relish these occasions.”
Glasgow, 14-3 down at halftime, had no answer when Saracens turned up the heat. In two games they have now scored 60 points in the second half, conceding just 10.
But Munster in Dublin is unlike any other game – as Saracens, in their heart of hearts, know only too well.
SARACENS - Tries: Ashton 2, Bosch, Barritt. Cons: Farrell (left) 3. Pens: Farrell 4.
GLASGOW - Tries: Jones, Wilson. Pen: Russell.