Bok lock wary of Sarries threat

 

The Irish side are getting set to face a Saracens' team that the captain and Springbok lock admits made light work of their challenge this time last year.

 

Ulster were well beaten when they faced Saracens in the European Cup quarterfinal in 2013 and Muller knows that even with his team securing the top spot in this years log, winning six from six, Ulster are not guaranteed a better result in 2014.

 

"Saracens totally outplayed us last year. They're a great side and they don't mind going away from home and getting results," said Muller.

 

"We haven't achieved anything yet. We finished top of our pool and top of the log but a lot of great teams in the history of this tournament have been in exactly the same situation as we are in now and they've slipped up in the quarter or semifinals.

 

"There's a huge amount of work left for us if we want to achieve something great."

 

With Ulster's fine performance in the pool stages securing them a home quarterfinal Muller will be looking for the passionate Belfast fans to be the extra man on the field come Saturday.

 

January's win at Leicester might not have resulted in a trophy just yet but it will still go down as an extra special evening in Ulster's proud history. Ruan Pienaar's 22-point haul stole the headlines but it was the level of support from the travelling fans that really stuck in Muller's memory

 

"I couldn't believe the amount of Ulster supporters who were in the stands when we went around the field after the game at Leicester," added Muller.

 

"Welford Road is a great place, with a great crowd and a really special atmosphere. For us as players, that's why we play this game. You want to play at a great stadium, against a great team with unbelievable support. That really gets the juices flowing. To get that victory was obviously special.

 

"The fans were absolutely outstanding. Every time Ruan [Pienaar] kicked for goal I thought he'd missed because the cheer was so big. And then I saw the flags going up and it was our fans who were cheering!

 

"It's something that we're getting used to now. Whether it's at Ravenhill or away from home, the Ulster supporters are outstanding and they bring a great buzz to every single game" he said.