'That's what real pressure looks like' - Ian Costello relieved as Munster secure Champions Cup place
Ian Costello declared anything is possible for Munster in the URC play-offs now the pressure is off the province after securing progression to the knockout rounds and qualification for next season's Champions Cup.
Munster made certain of a top-eight finish in the final URC standings on Friday night with a 30-21 bonus point victory over fellow play-off contenders Benetton in front of a sell-out 8,800 crowd in Cork, backing up the previous weekend's 38-20 win over Ulster at Thomond Park.
That echoed their path into the 2022-23 play-offs when a win and a draw in South Africa in the final two rounds of the regular season made sure of play-off rugby and interim head coach Costello did not rule out a repeat of what happened next that season, when Munster won away games at Glasgow, Leinster and the Stormers to lift the URC trophy.
While the victory over a strong Benetton side brought plenty of relief to a squad desperate to avoid the tag of becoming the first Munster side to fail to qualify for the top-flight European competition, Costello suggested that would free up his players heading into the play-offs.
Asked what the lifting of pressure from Munster players' shoulders made possible, Costello said: 'Anything. I think today I watched an A game earlier and the quality of that team, you saw the quality of some guys who weren't even togged out tonight as well as the 23 on the field.
'We've got a healthy squad and a competitive squad and we said it throughout the whole season: when we're close to full strength, we feel we can go toe to toe with any team, whether it's at home or on the road.
'We're going to enjoy a few days.. I won't lie, we need to take a breather and come down after it, and then have 10 to 12 days to build up to a quarter-final wherever it might be.'
Results in Saturday's remaining fixtures in URC Round 18 will determine which of defending champions Glasgow Warriors or South African sides the Sharks or Bulls they will have to visit in the last eight in two weeks.
Yet for now, Munster will celebrate a famous night at Virgin Media Park when they also paid tribute to veteran trio Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer, all of whom were playing their final home games for their province but are now assured of extending their journeys in the red jersey for at least one more game.
'Definitely a lot of relief,' Costello said of the main emotions in a Munster dressing room which also received a visit from Taoiseach Michael Martin after the final whistle.
'That's what real pressure looks like. We put ourselves in a position where we had to win two games so there's a relief around getting the job done, but there's also a relief around us putting a performance out there like that, that probably reflects where the group is at, and reflects on what it means to the group.
'It's been a tough few months, and to see the lads get the reward over the last couple of weeks is really pleasing. A lot of emotions. Relief, mixed with being really proud of the team, of the staff, of the club and what the supporters brought tonight, that was incredible.'
Putting a performance to honour the exiting veterans had been a priority for Munster and Costello added: "It means everything, we had Micheal Martin in to congratulate the lads and that was a cool boost. Peter asked him to fix the road again, he's not letting that one go!
"I don't know how to sum it up properly, but when you get a balance of having such a deep purpose, so much care for each other and you go out in the second half and you can execute... it's such an incredible blend.
"The performances the last couple of weeks were about showing how much we care for each other, how much we care for the lads who are leaving.
"I think in any sport that's important, particularly rugby that is so physical.
"When you want to give every ounce of yourself to respect your teammate who has given everything for the club for so long... that's deep, that connection and deep purpose was huge for us the last few weeks.
"When you see it come together in the second half, it's a powerful blend."
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