Ronan O'Gara: Gets a pass away against Sarries

Munster claimed their fourth ever European success over Sarries when running out 15-9 winners at Thomond Park on Saturday.

The result leaves the teams deadlocked on 10 points each ahead of the second of their back-to-back pool games at Vicarage Road.

Ronan O'Gara landed five penalties for Munster while Saracens centre Owen Farrell, who had an indifferent night with his goal-kicking, secured a losing bonus point for the visitors with his third penalty late on.

"They are all 'must-win' games to be fair. We are in a tough pool. But Sunday's game is a must-win," said Penney afterwards.

Penney admitted that the high penalty count against the home side was something they needed to address ahead of next weekend's return match.

"It is something we have been really focusing on, is our discipline and our work with the referees," he said.

"We got to a point where we conceded four penalties last weekend and I think we were up at 18 or something this week.

"Both sides defended so well and the pressure of the occasion probably didn't let the skills unfold as well as both sides would have liked," he added.

Mark McCall, Saracens' director of rugby, described his side's display as 'disappointing' as they suffered their first defeat in this season's competition.

However, he pointed out that the return game at Vicarage Road next weekend would provide an opportunity to turn the tables on Munster.

"We were well below our best tonight. It was a disappointing performance, overall," said the former Ireland international.

"We got off to a poor start and Munster were obviously very motivated. We lost a couple of set-pieces during that time. It gave them a lot of momentum.

"It was a frustrating kind of game because when we did have possession they were quite happy to give penalties away.

"The penalty count was huge against them. It was some consolation that we got a bonus point at the end."

McCall, who watched his side struggle to win their own lineouts over the first hour, added: "Your fundamentals and your foundations have to be good to come to a place like this. When one part of your set-piece doesn't function that well it is difficult to have the foundations right.

"It is not often in sport that you get a chance to rectify what's gone wrong a week later against the same opposition. That is the beauty of these back-to-back matches.

"We are confident we can play a lot better than we did tonight and we will need to. We have a lot of respect for Munster."