Billy Burns says Ulster have gotten to know themselves better since the start of the season.
Despite starting with four wins out of four in the United Rugby Championship, there was a sense that they were playing below par.
The 20 points from a possible 20 was just paper over the cracks and a heavy defeat to Connacht in the Aviva made them take a closer look at themselves.
However, since then, they have beaten Northampton at home, been to Clermont and Leinster and won, and the addition of Springboks star Duane Vermeulen has boosted Dan McFarland’s squad even more.
The next stop is Thomond Park, a destination they haven’t won at since 2014.
Out-half Burns says they are growing as a team.
"I think we have always been pretty good but I think now there is real clarity on what we expect from each other both sides of the ball and a really clarity in our game plan," he said ahead of the 7.35pm kick-off (live on RTÉ).
"That is not to say we didn’t have that before but I think we have sort of taking ownership of that as players.
"I think if players take ownership more, you are more likely to buy into it, the coaches are leading us in the right direction and it is up to the guys in the squad as well to add their input and I think that is probably just a maturity in the squad.
"Guys have been around for a bit longer, we’re a squad that has been playing together for a while now with obviously a couple of new additions and the younger guys coming through as well but the core of the squad is pretty similar.
"It is just about how hard we are willing to work for each other, our preparation going into the week.
"I think guys are a lot more switched on and take a lot more ownership going into these games and that has given us a bit more of an edge which is great.
"Ultimately that doesn’t win or lose you a game but it will help you out definitely and I think it has helped as a bit, I think we are just trying to do all our individual jobs the best we can and if we all do that then we are a good side."
Ulster are currently third in the table on 25 points, four behind leaders Leinster after seven games.
Munster, who fell to defeat to Connacht last Saturday, have a game in hand and are five points behind in seventh.
All told, McFarland’s side haven’t seen any URC action since 4 December and any games at all since beating Northampton on 17 December.
The postponement of the festive fixtures frustrated Burns, who has seven Ireland caps but was not called into Andy Farrell’s squad for the autumn games.
"Inter-pros are always a chance for people to go up against guys that they are fighting against for positions in the international squad so, yeah, it was disappointing," said the 27-year-old, who recently signed an extension with the club.
"To be honest that really didn’t come into my head,
"It was more the disappointment of not being able to carry on the momentum, I loved playing at home against Northampton in a packed stadium it felt like ages since we had that buzz of the crowd behind us and it was incredible.
"It was one of those games that reminds you what you play rugby for and I was looking forward to getting out there again and being able to do that again in front of a packed crowd.
"There was disappointment for all sorts of reasons but there wasn’t much that we could have done about it, it happens and we are now looking forward to Munster.
"[Thomond is] a fortress, they seem to grow when they play there and that is no different to most teams at home.
"They have a great crowd, I know obviously there will be a few less this time, they have a great crowd behind them, their physicality is unbelievable especially at home so it is just one of those tough places to go it’s hard to put your finger on it.
"It is always a tough place and it is similar to any place you go in Europe or the URC, it’s a cauldron and it is a tough place to play but they are the best challenges as a team.
"Quite often for me some of the best wins you get are the ones away from home when not many people give you a chance and the crowd are against you and you manage to take scalps.
"We are fully looking forward to it, we understand how big a test it is going to be but we are excited for it."
Playing inside Burns this evening is half-back partner John Cooney, another on the outskirts of the Ireland set-up who signed a new deal with the province over the Christmas.
"There is not much I can say about John that hasn’t already been said, it was great news to see he had re-signed along with the other lads and it is great to see they are willing to stay and buy into the way we want to go," said the Somerset native.
"John, I don’t have to talk about how good a player he is, he shows it every week, he is a leader in our team, he leads by his actions, he controls a game really well, he understands situations well and his kicking game is probably one of the best I’ve seen.
"So to keep him is great, and I think he would say himself that he is still improving which is great and he is still adding strings to his bow.
"In terms of us working as a team, we’ve worked hard at it in training, it doesn’t happen by accident, we work hard on understanding what we want from each other, he takes a lot pressure of me and I like to think I do the same to him at times as well.
"I’m delighted to be playing with him for a little bit longer anyway."
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