Johann van Graan says everyone at Munster is 'aligned' with the decision to play their home Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium.
Munster were forced to give up home advantage for the neutral setting of the Aviva, with two Ed Sheeran concerts at Thomond Park on 5 and 6 May, making the pitch unplayable for the quarter-final weekend.
In a statement on Sunday, Munster Rugby's Chief Operating Officer admitted that the possibility of a clash existed when they booked the concerts last September, it was a risk the organisation had to take, after the financial impact of Covid-19.
And yesterday, head coach Van Graan echoed those comments, saying he and his players back the decision.
"We love to play at Thomond Park. Saturday evening was again an incredible European experience. Our supporters are always there. You just have to look at two weeks ago in Exeter, the way they turned up. That was magic on Saturday in Thomond Park.
"However, we as a club are all aligned.
"This decision was taken two years back. We had to cut some big players from Munster Rugby because of budget constraints.
"We have staff redundancies so this decision was taken at a time where not only ourselves but a lot of people across rugby in the world had to make big decisions in terms of their future. So we're going to embrace the Aviva, we've played there before.
"In terms of our supporters, they are fantastic. The ones that can be there, will be there. The ones that can’t make us, will be with us. We’ve got a fantastic support base at Munster Rugby, whether in the province, in Ireland, or all across the world.
"We certainly would have loved to have played at Thomond Park. but as a club we’re going to embrace the Aviva and the occasion of Munster versus Toulouse in a European quarter-final."
Last Saturday's win against Exeter could potentially have been Van Graan's final game at Thomond Park before he leaves for Bath this summer.
A quarter-final would have been their final opportunity this season to play a European game in Limerick, while their one remaining home game in the URC regular season will be at Musgrave Park against Cardiff next week.
In order for Van Graan to have at least one more Thomond Park experience, his side will need to remain inside the top four and secure a home quarter-final, and a win this Friday against second placed Ulster would go a long way towards making that happen.
"I haven't given that a lot of thought, it is such an intense part of the season," he added, when asked about potentially getting a Thomond Park swansong.
"Like every season when you get to this bit and specifically the fact that we are going further in Europe, you have to perform in two competitions, which is tough, but I’d much rather be in this position than be in other clubs’ positions that are finished in Europe.
"In terms of the emotion of Thomond Park we will just keep taking it week by week, not thinking too much about the future, staying the moment, and what will be, will be.
"Certainly going to enjoy Friday evening at the Kingspan. That is one of the very difficult venues to go to and win, not only for Munster but for all teams across Europe and then we will take Cardiff as it comes and just take it week by week. An important game, we will have to perform on Friday."
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