Toby Booth says his Ospreys will be taking on the best team in the URC when they face Munster at Limerick's Thomond Park in Friday’s opening quarter-final (7.35pm, live on RTÉ).
Booth’s side defied the odds to secure the final spot in the play-offs with a 33-29 bonus point victory over Cardiff on Judgement Day, after a succession of other results had gone their way over the weekend.
They are the first Welsh team to reach the knock-out stages since 2018, an achievement secured by winning 10 of their 18 league matches - double their tally from last season.
Awaiting them in the last eight will be Munster, with head coach Booth well aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
"They are the best team in the competition," he said of Graham Rowntree's side who beat Ospreys 27-17 in Swansea last March.
"I know Leinster would dispute that, but they have finished top, they have won what they have won and they are the defending champions. So, factually, it’s right.
"There’s a reason 1 plays 8, but we are really looking forward to it. You would rather be in it than not.
"We know it’s really difficult, but when it gets to knock-out rugby, it’s about who delivers on the day.
"You’ve got to deal with the occasion first and foremost and then you have to be right on it. As the stakes get higher, the need to execute becomes less forgiving.
"There are no second chances now and that makes it tough."
Reflecting on making the play-offs, Booth said: "We have become a top eight team for the first time since I’ve been here and that’s a credit to everyone that’s been involved.
"It’s a reward for how competitive we have been. We wanted to earn respect and hopefully we have done that. There is a sense of pride and achievement.
"It’s progress first and foremost -
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