Mike Prendergast says Munster will be forced to rejig their plans when an Emergring Ireland side embark on a three-game mini-tour of South Africa.
Munster could be without a number of up-and-coming players when Simon Easterby takes a development side to South Africa for games against the Griquas and Pumas, this year's Currie Cup finalists, as well as the Cheetahs.
Emerging Ireland will play three games in 10 days, beginning against the Griquas on 30 September, which could leave Munster without some key players for their United Rugby Championship derbies against Connacht and Leinster.
Speaking before the tour was confirmed, Prendergast said: "There’s been challenges thrown at us over the last number of years with Covid and everything. We’ve just got to react and play what’s in front of us.
"I don’t think it’s been fully confirmed about the tour. If it does, we’ll look, plan and adapt.
"That’s one of the reasons we brought big numbers [into training] at the start, it’s for certain things that will happen during the year. We’ve got to be prepared from long and medium to short-term.
"Andy and the IRFU have their plan. He’s trying to add layers towards the World Cup and that’s understandable. We’ll adapt to it, absolutely."
Munster will also have to cope without Gavin Coombes for the start of the URC. The Ireland international is sidelined with a groin injury and will be unavailable for the opening rounds.
Munster face London Irish in their final pre-season match on Friday before travelling to Cardiff for their URC opening on 16 September, live on RTÉ.
After nine years coaching in France, Prendergast felt the time was right to return to Munster following conversations with head coach Graham Rowntree.
Rowntree praised Prendergast's impact as attack coach, saying he instantly knew the 45-year-old was "the right fit" for Munster, with players "bouncing" ideas off him.
"I was in different environments in France, with different players," said Prendergast. "In France there’s up to 13 different nationalities [at a club]. In my last job at Racing, you’re dealing with a lot of big rugby brains there.
"As a coach you’ll always have your own philosophy but if you’re willing to listen to players and their views, you do pick up nuggets - the Australians and their view on the game, the French, Scottish players. That would have been a massive learning, just being in the environments in general.
"I was with four different clubs so there was a bit of change there. Each club at the start was a different challenge, but something I hope equips you in the long run."
Prendergast has been tasked with revitalising a Munster attack that has failed to fire in big matches in recent seasons, but he is encouraged by skill and application shown by the players over the summer.
"We’re training quite quick, intense. I brought my ideas, Graham, Andy [Kyriacou] and Denis [Leamy] have theirs. We’ve come together and decided on how we want to train, and put players under pressure into difficult situations.
"I’ve been quietly surprised how good players can problem solve – and problem solve with their skills as well. It will take time but on first viewing it’s been very pleasing."
