In control: Alan Gaffney. Picture: Action Images

Saracens boss Alan Gaffney has ordered his most senior squad members to stand up and be counted in Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final against Euro regulars Munster.

The Aussie believes it could be the last chance some of the elder Men in Black get to home in on their only European Cup winners medal, and reckons that stark fact alone should provide enough motivation to sink the Irish province at Coventry and book a Cardiff final against either Toulouse or London Irish.

The likes of thirty-somethings Kris Chesney, Paul Gustard, Glen Jackson, Nick Lloyd, Kevin Sorrell, Hugh Vyvyan, Cobus Visagie, Fabio Ongaro and Richard Hill are all likely to play their part in plotting the downfall of Declan Kidney's talented Magners League outfit and are determined to end the club's decade long trophy drought.

"This is something that may or may not happen again for some of these players," said Gaffney, the club's director of rugby. "We've got to give it our best shot and play to our strengths.

"There are areas of the pitch we can match Munster and areas where we can better them. If we front up, we're in the game."

However, Gaffney knows all too well how big a threat Munster pose having enjoyed a trophy laden three seasons at the helm.

"Munster set the mark," said the Aussie of his old team. "They always regard making a quarter final of the Heineken Cup every year as a great achievement and that is something I have been telling the players here.

"Munster have got a lot of good players and Ronan o'Gara contributes a hell of a lot to what they do. I don't think there is a better ten out there when they are playing on the front foot."

4:57pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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