Confidence is high in the Saracens camp ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup quarter-final at Leinster, as the Men in Black chase their third straight title.

The return of key players including fly-half Owen Farrell, who missed last weekend’s win over Harlequins with a quad injury picked up on international duty, and captain Brad Barritt, who continues at 12 despite having a metal plate inserted in his cheekbone midweek, boost the side’s prospects against a Leinster side fired up after Ireland’s Grand Slam success.

Lock George Kruis also missed last weekend’s game at London Stadium, but is fit to return and partners Maro Itoje in the second row.

“The boys are looking sharp,” said Itoje.

“These are the kind of games and positions we want to be in; we want to be in knockout stages of competitions and we want to go far.

“This is a big game for us and everyone at the club is excited to go there and put in a big performance.

“I’m quite familiar with quite a few of their players; they’re a very strong team with a lot of good individuals.

“They are a well-drilled, well-coached team so it’s going to be a big challenge for us. This is a great game to test ourselves and show what we’re really about.”

Leinster should prove tough opposition, having won all six of their pool stage games, gaining three bonus points in the process.

But Schalk Burger insists that double European champions Sarries have got what it takes to overcome the Irish side.

“We’re travelling to Dublin for a new challenge this weekend against a Leinster side who play some really good football and have dominated Europe quite easily if you look at the pool,” said the South African.

“We have to embrace the challenge and we’re looking forward to playing at the Aviva which is a phenomenal stadium.

“All of us want to be a part of it and everyone is super excited. All of us have a good connection and it’s up to us to put in a performance for Saracens and what we stand for.

“It’s a clean slate this weekend and it’s how we can adapt to a Leinster side who have been playing some exceptional rugby.

“With a lot of these games you prepare well for them but it’s what you do on the weekend that counts.

“You spend so much time with your club and invest so much time and energy into it, so when a big game comes around it’s one of the most important.

“These are the games we all want to play in and it doesn’t get much better.”

The Saracens team to face Leinster is as follows: Alex Goode; Liam Williams, Marcelo Bosch, Brad Barritt, Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Juan Figallo; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Nick Isiekwe, Schalk Burger, Jackson Wray.

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Richard Barrington, Titi Lamositele, Dominic Day, Blair Cowan, Ben Spencer, Alex Lozowski, Chris Wyles.