Saracens' decision to rest a whole host of their big names for their Heineken Champions Cup visit to Thomond Park this weekend will increase the pressure on Munster for a home win, says Tomás O'Leary.
The defending champions have rotated their squad heavily and appear a far less intimidating prospect than the side which dispatched Munster in last season's semi-final in the Ricoh Arena.
Owen Farrell, George Kruis, Elliot Daly, Liam Williams, Billy and Mako Vunipola are among some of the big-name absentees (kick-off Saturday 5.30pm), but speaking on 2fm’s Game On, O’Leary is wary of the problems the English club could still pose.
"I think Mark McCall has been very smart with the team he has picked," the former Munster out-half said.
"He’s almost heaping all the pressure now again onto Munster, it’s almost a shot to nothing for Saracens
"They have been backed into a corner .
"You look at the team, Ben Spencer (above) has been one of the best nines in Europe over the last few years, and Brad Barritt and Alex Lozowski in the centre is the regular partnership.
"You have Will Skelton and Maro Itoje in the second row and a decent back row, so if they get a sniff with nothing to lose, they could be dangerous."
Munster currently top Pool 4 along with Racing 92, but having drawn with the French side at home last time out, anything other than a win would seriously dent their chances of progression to the knockout stages.
Donal Lenihan however expects Johann van Graan’s side to prevail.
"While it’s a very strong Saracens team, only seven of the side started the Champions Cup final win over Leinster , 10 of the match-day 23 involved, so it’s well short of their best.
"By my reckoning they are short 11 internationals, seven of whom are British and Irish Lions.
"It is a measure of the quality they have to say they are a very strong team.
If Munster aren't as up for it as they would be if all the stars were there, they could be in trouble
"This is a huge game for Munster. You might have been preparing all week to play against Owen Farrell or Liam Williams, all of a sudden now they are not there.
"Psychologically, if Munster aren’t as up for it as they would be if all the stars were there, they could be in trouble.
"I think Munster will win, but they need to start well."
Listen to live commentary of Ulster v Harlequins (3.15pm) & Munster v Saracens (5.30pm) on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport
