'Job done' was the simple assessment of Graham Rowntree on Friday night.
Munster passed the first of what they hope will be three tests to keep the BKT United Rugby Championship trophy at Thomond Park, a 23-7 win against a plucky but limited Ospreys side, but will face a step up in class on Saturday evening when the Glasgow Warriors come to Limerick in the semi-finals.
Aside from a breathless first four minutes in which both sides scored tries, Munster's win against the Welsh side was a rather uneventful game in which they never looked like racking up a large score, but one that they never looked like losing. At this stage of the season, that counts as a good day.
"I thought we managed it well," Rowntree said of the performance, in which his side held the Ospreys scoreless after their early try.
"It was just composed, it was smart, it was cup rugby."
After taking a 14-7 lead through the opening quarter, Munster went for the three-six-nine approach as Jack Crowley tagged on three penalties to make sure they always had the Ospreys at arm's length.
"You know, we weren't perfect. Half time was about improving our discipline. We made a bright start. They came back in with that try immediately after we scored early on.
"Discipline was not great, we spoke about that half time, but third quarter they repelled us on their goal line, which gave them energy. We couldn't get over there, actually we were quite composed after not scoring in that first 10 minutes after half time. But then the second half we managed well, tactically, kicking-wise in greasy conditions.
"And we were playing cup rugby, weren't we? Taking points. We spoke about it, potentially going three, six, nine. Knockout rugby. It's not been our philosophy all season but it felt right tonight," he added.
The Munster boss (above) admitted he "wasn't over the moon" with the scheduling of last week's game, pointing out that their reward for finishing top of the table was a six-day turnaround for their quarter-final.
However, the flip side of that coin is that the province will now have the benefit of an extra day's rest ahead of the visit of Glasgow to Thomond Park on Saturday.
"As I sit now it's a real positive for us, get a bit more rest before we plan next week. We'll keep some petrol in the tank for a semi-final.
"At this time of the year it's what you don't do physically in training, you've just got to do enough tactically, make sure you get a bit of intensity and make sure you're moving well, cover off all your set plays.
"But we've got that much work in the bank in terms of intensity, we've really pulled back training."
Munster are likely to have centre Alex Nankivell available for selection, with the New Zealander making good progress on his ankle injuries.
Rowntree confirmed Tom Ahern and Joey Carbery's seasons are over after their recent injuries, while Rory Scannell is facing several months on the sidelines with an ankle injury suffered in the win against Ulster.
"You're never not disappointed to lose players of their calibre," said Rowntree. "The way Joey got himself back with his performance, and Rory has just been a soldier for us.
"He didn't get much of a look-in in South Africa, he trained every day and actually played well when he's had his time in the field, Edinburgh, notably, and last week in particular.
"And Tom, what a season Tom has had. There's a light really gone on in him in terms of that six role and playing on the edge of the field."
In better news, Diarmuid Barron (above) made his long-awaited return from injury off the bench on Friday.
The hooker had been sidelined since St Stephen's Day with a foot injury, and the Munster coach says his return has come at a great time.
"I've been watching him [Barron] for weeks now, because the rehab guys train next to us and I'm watching training, and I'm looking over at guys coming back from injury and he's been flying. We've been cautious with it, and rightly so.
"He's got credit in the bank with me, has Diarmuid, as a bloke, as a rugby player, as a leader.
"And he was good when he came on. He weren't perfect. There's one throw he wouldn't have been happy with, but he's a Munster man, and when he becomes available to you, I'm not going to hold back, he's come straight back in there and that's nothing against Eoghan Clarke. He's been brilliant for us, and I actually said this in front of the group, 'Clarkey, you're unlucky,' but it's the feel of a coach and in selection with the other coaches it felt right to bring Diarmuid in," the Englishman added.
Watch highlights of all the weekend's action on Against the Head, 7pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
