Johann van Graan insists that nothing is impossible for Munster with the backing of their incredible support.
The Reds head to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday with the formidable task of taking down reigning champions Toulouse for a place in the Champions Cup semi-finals.
It was a challenge that was beyond them a year ago, when the Red and Blacks came to Thomond Park and staged a final quarter comeback to clinch a 40-33 victory in an electrifying last 16 tie.
But Munster are a better side now and van Graan, who knows defeat will spell the end of his European journey with the province ahead of his summer exit, can sense something in the air as a massive crowd from the province prepares to converge on Lansdowne Road.
"It’s one of those things that you can’t explain if you’re not here," said the South African.
"That feeling of everywhere you go, everyone is just talking about what a great journey it will be on Saturday travelling to Dublin by bus or train, going on the day before or the morning.
"People travelling from all over Europe, Munster people coming to watch this game. It’s what this club is known for.
"That saying we have, 'To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible.’
"To a lot of people from the outside, this might seem like it is impossible.
"But it is a game of rugby. It’s Munster in Europe versus Toulouse, a team that we respect a lot.
"How many occasions have the 16 th man pulled us through?
"And that doesn’t win it for the team on the field. We have to play well, we have to perform well.
"But subconsciously, knowing that we have that support and noise, that sea of red for 80 minutes, that’s why you want to play at home in knock-out rugby and that’s what we have on Saturday."
Damian de Allende has explained already this week why he believes adversity has brought this Munster team closer together in recent months.
Clearly, Munster are an improved side as they seek to break a run of 11 years without silverware.
The question is if Toulouse have similarly gone up a level, but the province will take encouragement from Ulster coming up just short against Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and company.
"They’re a championship side," stressed van Graan.
"When you become champions you have a target on your back and everyone will have targeted them, but they’re once again in the quarter-finals of Europe.
"We expect them to perform to the best of their abilities. They have Test players in their tight five and the loose forward, a French starting 9 and 10 and some incredible back-line players.
"So we believe they will be at their best. We have to make sure we are at our best. And then it will come down to moments.
"And that’s what you get with Munster versus Toulouse. The game last season was literally won and lost in the last six minutes of the game in terms of one big moment.
"Who knows? It might come down to that at the weekend again."
Van Graan predicts that the team with the better discipline could prevail, describing that aspect of the game as "key" to the outcome.
He elaborated: "Both sides like to play off quick ball but they also like to put pressure on the breakdown.
"Currently we have the most turnovers in Europe and they are second. so both sides will be looking to attack and both sides are able to defend.
"So a fascinating game to prepare for, a great game to look forward to.
"From our side, we have to make sure we keep our composure and do the things we do well and also try to disrupt them in the things they do exceptionally well."
Meanwhile, Andrew Conway's return gives van Graan the right kind of headache in terms of selection options.
Winger Conway has been unavailable since the Six Nations clash with England due to a knee injury.
In his absence in the last round, Shane Daly was outstanding against Exeter and with Conway only returning to full training on Tuesday, van Graan has a big decision to make.
“He’s had a phenomenal year," said the Reds boss.
"That performance he gave against the All Blacks in the Aviva, some of the performances in the Six Nations.
"On the flip side of that Simon Zebo has been excellent for Munster on the left and Keith Earls in the last few weeks has been fantastic on the right.
“Then if you look at Shane Daly’s performance against Exeter, and the try that he scored, and Calvin Nash’s performance on the weekend against Cardiff and I think Mike Haley is playing the best rugby of his career.
"So we are blessed with some very good back three players. That gives us options and that’s a great headache to have.
"We’ve had some players playing exceptionally well in multiple positions - so guys have got to get some training minutes back on the pitch and we’ll make our decisions on Thursday."
