Munster's head coach in waiting Graham Rowntree says the time was right for him to throw his hat in the ring to be Johann van Graan's successor.
Speaking for the first time since the province announced that their forwards coach would be taking over in the hot seat from July 1, Rowntree said: "It's excellent, it was a thorough process.
"It's all done now, we can crack on, not that I was distracted by any means but we can crack on - and crack on with Saturday's game in particular.
"As I've said before, it's very much like the environment I grew up in at Leicester - very down to earth, humble group of people.
"Very passionate, a big supporter base who are mad about their rugby, enjoy the craic, say no more!
"I'm ready. I just feel I'm ready, and I know the club feels it's the right time.
"I learned a lot, you get to a point in your career where you're comfortable about making the step up with the experiences you've been through.
"That's why I threw my heat in the ring, and luckily I got it."
Former England and Lions coach Rowntree, who has been given a two-year deal, is putting together his backroom team for next season.
"I'm already speaking to people, obviously, throughout the process I've had to have a plan to present and we'll continue with that without getting distracted," he said, speaking ahead of Saturday's crunch Champions Cup clash with Exeter at Thomond Park.
Rowntree was caught by the TV cameras delivering an impassioned speech to his players at half-time in Sandy Park last Saturday.
Asked if he knew he had the head coach job by then, Rowntree smiled: "I don't need to tell you any more detail I found out very recently, let's put it like that!"
And he insisted that van Graan would be calling the shots until he leaves for Bath after the end of the season.
"He's the boss until the 30th of June, nothing changes in that coaching side of things, and in that dynamic," Rowntree said.
"I enjoy working with the man."
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