Munster head coach Graham Rowntree believes his side will need to produce their best rugby of the season this weekend, if they're make it to quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup for a record 20th time.
The province flew out to Durban yesterday in preparation for Saturday's Round of 16 meeting away to the Sharks, with Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray back among the group after being rested on Saturday, while Niall Scannell and Antoine Frisch have been cleared from injury to play this week.
In the 28-year history of the Champions Cup Munster have seen just about everything along the way, reaching four finals and winning two titles.
But Saturday's Round of 16 tie with the Sharks presents a first for the province; knockout rugby in South Africa.
While the province have never played in Durban, they do have experience of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth in recent seasons, and Rowntree says they'll embrace the extra challenges that come with the long journey to the east coast of South Africa.
"That's what this sport is, you get on with it and deal with adversity," the Munster head coach said, before the squad departed yesterday.
"We’ve had a few bits of adversity thrown at us. It’s part of sport now, travelling. The South African teams are doing it more than anyone and they seem to be going alright.
"You hear about these huge Stormers’ props squeezing themselves into economy [class]. We’ll be doing the same. We’ll try to squeeze Roman Salanoa into a seat tonight. But you’ve got to get on with it.
"That is sport, travelling, and what an experience for the lads to go and play in; different continents, playing against teams who play in different competitions. It’s part of sport. These are the memories you look back on. As a player I certainly did."
The former England international won the Champions Cup in 2001 and 2002 in his playing days with the Leicester Tigers, and says it's a competition he holds close to his heart.
"I look back on my career and some monumental games in Europe. I was even showing some of the front-rowers this morning, some scrums of myself playing for Leicester against Stade Francais in the 2001 final.
"Ridiculous scrummaging. And some ridiculous cheating from me as well, and they enjoyed that. But as I pointed out to them, I said: 'More scrums stayed up that day’. But no, [they are] special memories, and we were cheaper [players]. Special memories from a sport playing in huge European competitions."
The Munster boss is also expecting to see some Munster jerseys populating the King's Park Stadium on Saturday.
"I'll be amazed if there’s not a lot of travelling Munster fans there, if there’s not a sea of red somewhere. There usually is. They follow us everywhere. Our fans are incredible.
"No, it’s a brilliant occasion and the lads are lucky, they’re lucky, to go and play in places like this in this competition. What a challenge, but what a memory it will be, and the club is built on this. It’s a special competition for us."
Munster found themselves having to travel for their knockout game having won two of their four pool games, seeing off Northampton Saints both home and away, but suffering narrow defeats to Toulouse, which bookended the preliminary stage.
And having likened the Sharks' style of play to that of the French champions, Rowntree admits his side will need to pull their best performance out of the season this weekend if they're to pull off a famous win.
"I'd say so, yes, I’d say so," he replied, when it was put to him.
"I mean, that was a real challenge, that was like a Test match that game away in Toulouse. Could’ve, should’ve won it.
"So, it’s going to need a similar performance or a better performance this week. That’s what we are aiming for."
Watch Leinster v Ulster in the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
