New dad Owen Farrell will launch himself into the mother and father of all European showdowns with far greater awareness of how to cope with Munster than with the demands of parenthood.
Last month, the England captain's wife, Georgie Lyon, gave birth to a son — their first child — on the day her husband had been due to play in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow.
He stayed with her at the hospital and eventually gave up on the idea of a hasty dash to Allianz Park, as the delivery took place while the match was going on.
New father Owen Farrell believes Saracens are capable of another Champions Cup triumph
The fly-half will have a pivotal role to play if his side are to earn a third title in four years
In his absence, Saracens swept aside their Scottish rivals to earn a place in the semi-final at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Most of the squad celebrated with a short break together in St Anton, but Farrell was back at home, getting to grips with the new arrival. 'There's been no surprises because I didn't have a clue in the first place!' he said. 'Has anyone?'
While Farrell is reluctant to open up about personal matters, he is evidently enjoying his new family life, adding: 'It's brilliant, I love it.' What about sleep? 'I'm good, I can't feed him!' he said.
'I find it unbelievably engaging, when you are at home. People said this to me before you have children: when you are at home and you have got children it is engaging to be at home, to sit there with him — although he can't do too much at the minute — but your mind is not wandering.
Your mind is not thinking about what has happened at training, your mind is not thinking about what is going to happen the next day, so you find yourself in it a lot more.'
Farrell's wife Georgie gave birth to their first child before Saracens' quarter-final match
His family life may just provide the perspective and balance that Farrell requires during a pivotal period in his sporting life.
At 27, he has inherited the Test captaincy and is seemingly on course to lead England into the World Cup later this year.
Yet, the Six Nations defeat against Wales and the epic 38-38 draw with Scotland which saw England surrender a 31-0 lead prompted criticism of his leadership and an admission by Eddie Jones that as skipper, he is a work in progress.
With Saracens preparing to face Munster and their fabled Red Army this afternoon, Farrell was as reluctant to discuss the Scotland game at Twickenham as
