Sarries may well be second in the English Premiership, but they have never beaten Munster in Europe, losing all three of their previous meetings with their last defeat back in 2008.

Munster, who are fourth in the Pro12, will be aware they are slipping off the radar with many looking at reigning champions Leinster and last season's finalists Ulster as, not just flagbearers for Irish rugby, but potential winners of the tournament.

Saracens fly-half Charlie Hodgson, who is the tournament's leading scorer after the first two rounds with 40 points, will want to remind everybody what he has to offer after the heroics of team-mate Owen Farrell with England.

Ronan O'Gara, the grandmaster of fly-halves at European level, will be looking to make sure that Munster, winners in 2006 and 2008, qualify for the tournament's quarter-finals.

The red machine reached last season's knock-out stages, only to suffer the indignity of being knocked out by fellow Irish province Ulster, and will want to remind everybody of their pedigree in Europe.

But both Munster and Saracens will be keeping a keen eye on Racing Metro's back-to-back games with Edinburgh and be wary of the threat to their qualification hopes posed by the French side.

Match Facts
• Saracens have a 100% success rate at the lineout this season (on their own throw), retaining ball on all 23 throws so far as well as stealing a competition high six opposition throws.
• Munster are also joint-top of the lineouts stolen chart, averaging three per game themselves.
• Munster have retained possession at 97% of rucks and mauls, a tournament high.
• Charlie Hodgson is the top points scorer after two rounds, scoring 40 so far including one try, seven conversions and seven penalties.