Ireland flanker Tadhg Beirne’s steely resolve highlights Munster’s grit as the former URC champions prepare to run the playoff gauntlet on the road.

“We know we’ve got to do it the hard way,” Beirne told the Irish Independent. “We’ll be away from home for all of them.”

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Unless the four away teams shock the URC in the quarter-finals, Munster will be consigned to completing their quest for a fifth title in what has evolved from the Celtic League in 2001 into United Rugby Championship.

It begins with a daunting trip to Kings Park to take on the Springbok-powered Sharks. Munster draw confidence from their 2022-23 URC triumph, when they toppled Glasgow Warriors, Leinster, and the Stormers — all on the road — to claim the title.

“We’ve done it before and we’ve confidence in ourselves to do it again,” Beirne said.

With their Champions Cup spot secured for 2025-26 they’re motivated by the prospect of sending off stalwarts Peter O’Mahony, Stephen Archer and Conor Murray with another successful URC title run in enemy territory.

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