Munster coach Anthony Foley has stressed the importance of European qualification and insisted that the team still have ambitions of winning silverware.
The 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup winners endured a disappointing season, exiting the Champions Cup at the pool stages and trailing off in the hunt for Pro12 honours.
However, two bonus-point wins over Edinburgh and Scarlets secured a place in the European Cup for next season, when Johan Eramus will hold the reins as director of rugby.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the 31-15 win over Scarlets at Thomond Park, Foley said: “It’s very important for us to be in Europe next year, and playing the top competitions.
“We still have ambitions of winning trophies again and making sure we’re in knock-out stages so it’s important for this group to make sure they are playing at the highest level possible.
“It wasn’t [a] perfect display but we won’t worry about that.
"It’s important for this group to make sure they are playing at the highest level possible"
“Getting the five tries out there and finishing the way the boys did just sums up the character that’s within the group.
“We were put to the pin of our collar, post-Connacht [a 35-14 loss], there were a lot of question marks around the side and they responded quite well over the last two games, getting the maximum out of both games.
“It says a great deal about them. You just pat them on the back and try and hope that they don’t get into this situation again.”
