Munster believe they've figured out key to playing in South Africa

The Irish side have been in excellent form away from home late in the season in a run that included a win against the Stormers in round 17, which ended the hosts' unbeaten run in Cape Town since December 2021.

Munster defence coach Denis Leamy believes their away streak, which included a stunning win against Leinster in the semi-final, has hardened the team.

"Away days produce a focus like no others, and we have gotten that right by and large on the road," he said.

"We have a mentally tough group, a physically tough group now.

"It has taken a little while, but we genuinely feel that we have a hardened bunch on the road.

"We understand what it feels like. It's a massive challenge to go to places like Glasgow, Leinster, coming to South Africa, everything that it entails.

"But we have got about our business in a fashion that we feel has been very positive, very workmanlike.

"There is a tight group here. We have grown from those victories on the road and how we trained, and how we have gelled together.

"It is a group of very few egos, if not none. Guys are very honest with each other, we speak to each other in a very growth mindset way and conversations are always very strong in terms of how we can get better.

"In terms of being in a tough place on the road in South Africa you need those types of characters to stand up, and that's the plan."

Munster were also boosted by the return of several stars from injury, including Conor Murray, Malakai Fekitoa, RG Snyman and Ben Healy, amongst others.

Leamy insists that all the travelling went well, and the group is raring to go ahead of the massive occasion that will see a sell-out crowd.

"Everything went well, we travelled well," Leamy told RTÉ Sport.

"It's a bit of a spin down to this part of the world, but everything went off very well.

"We went to the hotel yesterday afternoon and just been resting up. We went out and had a hit-out of the pitch earlier on, and that went well. The boys are fresh and in good spirits.

"The boys are very good pros, we've a lot of good people here, in terms of strength and conditioning and nutritionists.

"They've put in place hydration plans and food plans for the boys. Look, it's the way of the world now, it's what we do in terms of the game in the URC.

"We've been good in that area and it's gone off very well. We've no complaints."