Head coach in waiting Graham Rowntree has asked Munster fans to "stick with us" as he seeks inspiration from the province's past glories to restore the Reds to the top of the pile in Europe.
Until December it was never Rowntree's plan to be Munster head coach. Now he has to find a plan to restore the glory days to the province.
The 50-year-old is in talks with potential backroom staff while helping to plot the Reds' course on two fronts in the coming days and weeks.
"That's for me to finalise in the near future," he acknowledged. "I've got some plans. I've spoken to certain people, but it will be a similar looking coaching ticket.
"It’s the right fit for me. I know the pressure’s going to be greater but that’s for me to deal with and me to get the right people around me to help me deal with that.”
The ex-England coach officially takes over from Johann van Graan on July 1 and continues as forwards coach until then.
He was content in that role until van Graan announced in December that he was leaving for Bath in the summer.
"I had a think about it, spoke to my wife and thought, 'yeah, why not?' I threw my hat in the ring and here I am," explained Rowntree.
"I was excited about joining as a forwards coach and working under Johann. Having played against Munster and understanding their rich history, I was just delighted and proud to be employed as a forwards coach.
"This was never the plan, but this is where we are now and I'm delighted.
"You've got to take a bit from everyone you work with but be yourself. I've got a certain coaching style and the one thing I don't want to change with the increased pressure, I'll still want to be me because I still love being on the field coaching every day."
Anyone watching footage of his dressing-room intervention at half-time on Saturday at Sandy Park saw a man determined to drive Munster back to greatness.
Rowntree insists the club's history, including those two Heineken Cup triumphs, will be his "inspiration" rather than burden as Munster look to end an 11-year run without silverware.
“We’re all proud of those achievements," Rowntree insisted. "We’re proud of our heritage as a club.
"That’s why it’s such a special place. It’s why I’m so proud to be leading them next season.”
Munster can still achieve greatness before that. They trail Exeter in their Champions Cup round of 16 tie but have overcome much bigger odds at Thomond Park. Their task on Saturday is certainly achievable.
Winning, says Rowntree, would be the perfect springboard. "That's all that matters," he stressed.
"I've got a great deal of planning to do but that's not going to divert me away from the day job and winning each game.
"Hopefully we'll have a massive challenge every week for the rest of the season."
His message to the long-suffering Munster faithful is this: “Stick with us. We've not been far off.
"It's finishing off, isn't it? We have been in finals and semi-finals.
“We're going in the right direction. Why do I believe? It's the group we've got here and the guys coming
through.
“I'm proud, for such a famous club, such a fanbase, such a following, such a great group of players.
"It's my dream job."
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