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James Ryan has told his Leinster team-mates only their best will do against a potentially galvanized Saracens in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday.<\/p>\nJames Ryan has told his Leinster team-mates only their best will do against a potentially galvanized Saracens in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The clash is a repeat of last year\u2019s final in Newcastle, but the circumstances are very different for the holders after a dreadful campaign.<\/p>\n
Saracens were hit with a \u00a35.36million (\u20ac5.7 million) fine and 35-point deduction in November for repeated salary cap breaches before they were automatically relegated in January.<\/p>\n
It means all Mark McCall\u2019s side have had to play for is the Champions Cup and even though they will be without the suspended captain Owen Farrell in Dublin, Leinster\u2019s lock is not about to take anything for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are the defending champions for a reason, so we know this week we have to bring the best version of ourselves and I don\u2019t think anything less will be enough to get a result,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have had some blows in the past and you have seen it has brought them closer. I think if anything, it could galvanize them as a group.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd they have targeted this game, I would imagine, from a long way back and because of the relegation, they have had months to fine-tune and plan for this game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is their last chance of silverware this season, so they have a huge amount to play for and they will be a very motivated outfit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since Leinster\u2019s 20-10 defeat to Saracens last May, the Aviva Stadium club have put together a run of 25 wins in a row.<\/p>\n
The latest occurred on Saturday in the Guinness PRO14 final against Ulster, to crown them the champions of the competition for a third consecutive year.<\/p>\n
It was Ryan\u2019s first game back after a shoulder injury and while happy to get his hands on more silverware, he knows where they can improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last few weeks have been positive,\u201d the 26-cap Ireland international added.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at the weekend, it was a slow start but we got into the game. This week we can\u2019t afford to start slow, we have to come out the blocks quick so we will need to improve \u2013 but we are all aware of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturday will see Ryan renew his duel with England\u2019s Maro Itoje with the pair going head-to-head several times over the last few years.<\/p>\n
The most recent was back in February during the Six Nations, but the Leinster forward was keen not to only focus on his rival, who he described as the \u201coverall package\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ryan said: \u201cIt is great. I think you look across the Saracens pack and they have some serious players there, whether it be Itoje or the Vunipolas (Mako and Billy).<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look at the backline and yes they won\u2019t have Owen Farrell, but they still have a huge amount of experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cManu Vunipola has gone in there at 10 and done a good job so across the park they are stacked with quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey might have lost a few guys but they have the backbone of the team committed to the club and it is great to be coming up against some of the best players in Europe. We are massively looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Farrell will not be influential on the pitch, due to being issued with a five-match ban for a dangerous tackle against Wasps earlier this month, the fly-half has still been eager to play his part.<\/p>\n
Saracens director of rugby McCall revealed: \u201cHe\u2019s running the opposition against us, running some of Leinster\u2019s plays etc, so he\u2019ll be a huge help to us this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just wants to help. He regrets the situation he finds himself in but now he just wants to help the team as much as he can.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Ryan, McCall added: \u201cHe epitomizes the hard working team they are. I think that\u2019s his number one strength.\u201d<\/p>\n