Northampton Saints director Jim Mallinder says victory at Munster would demonstrate his side's recent progress.

Saints lie second in their Heineken Cup pool, behind the 2008 winners.

Mallinder told BBC Radio Northampton: "It's the biggest test up to now. We were disappointed how we handled ourselves in France [versus Perpignan].

"But we've proven we can beat these teams at home, and if we can beat them away, then it'll be a real sign of how far we've come."

Saints will have had just five days between their home win against Perpignan and the trip to Thomond Park.

"We've had a good prep. It's been shorter, as opposed to seven days as normal," Mallinder said.

"You've got to be top of your game mentally. If you let the occasion get to you, you'll have lost already.

"If we play the way we did in first half last week [against Perpignan], we'll be out of the game."

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