Munster attack coach Mike Prendergast admits stewing on two BKT URC defeats over the last two weeks has been "challenging" but is adamant the club can make the top-eight.
After losses to Bordeaux in the Champions Cup, and Bulls and Cardiff in the URC, Munster sit in ninth, outside of the play-off places with two rounds to play.
Ulster, on 38 points are three behind Munster, and a win at Thomond Park in Friday night's derby would likely see Richie Murphy's team move ahead in the table.
"It's been a challenging few weeks, I suppose," Prendergast said on Monday afternoon.
"But look, that's what sport brings at times, brings these challenges.
"You're looking for people to stand up.
"We spoke about it this morning, players, staff, everything is just completely geared towards Friday night.
"We've had a week off there where, I suppose, being honest, people left after the Cardiff game and there was that disappointment.
"We reviewed it this morning, we spoke about it and areas we need to improve.
"The challenge is Friday night. Ulster have still everything to play for. So, it's game on."
Having missed the trip to Wales through injury, Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Liam Coombes, John Hodnett, Oli Jager, Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Josh Wycherley all return to training this week and may feature at the weekend.
With Munster’s final URC game against Benetton taking place in Cork, Friday is likely to be a final Thomond Park outing for departing players O’Mahony, Murray and Archer, if they are fit.
The prospect of missing out on Champions Cup rugby next season, and the incentive to send the legendary trio off from Limerick on a high all play into the build-up for Friday, says Prendergast.
"I mean there's a bit of everything with it," he said.
"We all know how important it is, both in terms of the process, in terms of building towards the game on Friday night, in terms of certain aspects of the game that, you can't focus on every part of it every week. That's just a reality.
"We're starting to recover a few players and get them back in.
"You could see it and you could feel it even today out in training. There was a good clip to training, a good competitive edge.
"Everyone wants to be playing in these games. It's going to be a big occasion as well.
"We can't forget that it's the last game for a few certain players that have been around for a long time and have given huge service to this club.
"So the lads want to put their best foot forward for those players as well.
"But equally as well for the match, for the club and how important it is.
"We feel that we need to be a bit better. And if we get those right, we feel we'll be able to put our best foot forward for Friday night."
Asked about areas where Munster have identified room for improvement against Ulster, who lost their last two to Sharks and Leinster, Prendergast added: "Our discipline needs to be spot on there.
"We're playing a team, Ulster, there was a bit of a spring in their step as well.
"They had a lot of injuries over the season as well.
"They're taking players back and I think you've seen it over the last number of weeks.
"Their game has evolved as well with certain profiles that have come back into their team.
"So, they are very dangerous. Absolutely, they are.
"We need to get our own stuff right also to get that performance that we're looking for."
Munster also confirmed that performance consultant Chris Boyd has completed his short-term contract with the province and returned home to New Zealand.
Jeremy Loughman (hamstring), Ethan Coughlan (hamstring), Billy Burns (shoulder), Shane Daly (hamstring), Dave Kilcoyne (Achilles), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee) remain out.
Watch Munster v Ulster in the URC on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
