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Lloyd: We can beat Munster
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| Prop idol: Nick Lloyd. Picture: Action Images |
NICK LLOYD believes Saracens can complete a hat-trick of Heineken Cup shocks this season by dumping 2006 champions Munster out of next week's mouth-watering semi final clash.
The Men in Black tore apart the Irish provinces' beaten final opponents Biarritz en route to group qualification for the first time and did the same to the form book with a titanic last eight victory over Ospreys.
The odds are once again stacked against them when they take on Declan Kidney's Magners League side at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, yet loosehead prop Lloyd is revelling in Sarries' underdog tag.
The 31-year-old has started five of Sarries' seven Heineken Cup games this season and barring any unforeseen injuries should front up against Munster's abrasive tighthead prop John Hayes next weekend.
"The Heineken Cup is fantastic and the passion from the crowd at our quarter final shows you why it's the biggest club competition in world rugby," said the Men in Black's player of the season contender. "We've got a great opportunity in the semi final but we're not just happy with getting there - we want to be kings of Europe.
"We'll go to Coventry with confidence after beating Ospreys but we know Munster are an extremely talented and strong side, both in the forwards and backs.
"It's a huge game for us and we'll go into it as underdogs, but we'll also go there with total belief we can win."
Lloyd was rested for Saturday's 39-15 defeat to Gloucester, a result which ended their slim Premiership play-off hopes, yet the former Rotherham Titans scrummager believes Sarries have again made giant strides in their quest to become one of the league's elite outfits.
Their European Cup exploits have shown they are no shrinking violets while a top six league finish is still up for grabs.
"We want to become champions of England and are striving to get there," added the affable forward. "We want to be a side that plays well every week but we're not there at the moment. We need to discover how to do that as soon as possible and I think a lot of it is down to the mental side of things.
"It was our ambition to get into the top four again this season but the defeat to Gloucester, which was a bad day at the office, has put an end to that.
"We would like to think we've improved year on year this season and the last and the reason for that is stability in the coaching staff while the bulk of the playing squad has remained the same."
Sarries have another acid test before Munster - Tomorrow's (Sunday's) Premiership showdown with current Heineken Cup holders Wasps. Ian McGeechan's men have come into their own of late, winning seven straight games to gate-crash fourth spot.
"We've got three massive league games left and want to finish in the top six, so there are no excuses not to be up for it," commented Lloyd. "Wasps are the masters of the end of season surge and it's a must win game for us to take confidence into the Munster match."
It is one of the worst kept secrets at Saracens that Lloyd has put pen to paper on a new contract, believed to be for two years, and he is looking forward to an exciting future under incoming director of rugby Eddie Jones.
"It (contract extension) has all been agreed and I'm delighted," said Lloyd, who has a clutch of man-of-the-match awards to his name this season. "The club have shown a lot of faith in me over the years and I want to try and repay that.
"We're under no illusions as to what Eddie Jones is expecting of us. It is great to have someone of his ability coaching us as he is an extremely focused and driven man."
10:23am Saturday 19th April 2008
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