Mark McCall believes Saracens can still progress to the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup, despite their latest setback in the competition.

McCall’s men sit third in Pool 4, on six points, and are five points behind Munster who currently occupy second after they suffered their second defeat in three European games this season at the weekend.

In a gritty affair it was Johann van Graan’s men who prevailed 10-3 at Thomond Park thanks to the only try of the game from captain Peter O'Mahony.

Saracens again rested key men including all but one of their contingent of England's starting World Cup final side, and they were sluggish throughout the low-scoring contest, although they did come away with a losing bonus point.

They now face a return crucial return fixture with Munster at Allianz Park next weekend in a clash which McCall knows his side must win if they are to have a chance of reaching the last eight.

“I think so [Saracens can still qualify], but it’s probably out of our hands to a degree,” McCall said.

“We need to win next week, but we do know Munster have got a tough game against Racing in round five. So there’s definitely hope, but next week’s huge for us. We’ve got to win next week.”

Having played understrength sides throughout the pool stage so far following their 35-point deduction in the Premiership, Saracens have focused all their efforts domestically to now.

But, McCall has suggested that the likes of Owen Farrell, Mako and Billy Vunipola, and Elliot Daly may return to the European fold when they host Van Graan’s side on Saturday afternoon.

He added: “Yeah, we’ll rotate. Some of the people who haven’t played today will play.

“Some of our non-internationals who have had a busy eight weeks or so, they’ll get some rest. We’ve just got to try and manage our group as well as we can.”