Northampton Saints head coach Dorian West has got a simple message for his players ahead of Saturday night's Heineken Cup quarter-final shoot-out with Munster - 'seize the moment'.
Saints lost the chance to top Pool 1 in the final round of Pool matches in January when they were beaten 12-9 by Munster at Thomond Park.
Missed opportunities cost the English Premiership outfit dearly on the day and West has told his players they can't afford to lose concentration again if they are to stay on course for a title treble this season.
With the Anglo-Welsh LV= Cup already in the trophy cabinet, and a Play-Off place in the Guinness Premiership all but secured as they ride high in second place, a first Heineken Cup crown since 2000 is still on the cards.
"Last time we went there we didn't seize the moment with some of our opportunities," explained West.
"We felt it was a game we could easily have won and it was a shock to some of the younger lads at how close we got.
"When we had that scrum on their line in the second half we felt we should have had a penalty try, but then we lost concentration and we weren't as efficient at the re-set scrums.
"We learned quite a lot over the two Pool games against Munster and we know we will have to be at the top of our game to cope with the occasion. I think we are probably better prepared for this game than when we went last time.
"The players have trained well and there is a buzz around the club. It is going to be a massive game, but one we are looking forward to and we know we are going to have to be on top of our game."
West knows all about playing against Munster in the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup having been a winner against them for Leicester Tigers in the 2002 final before going out to them at the quarter-final stages the following year.
"Munster try to stop you from playing as a side and they have a few players who play on the limits," said West
"They have a very noisy crowd, a proud group of players who are desperate to play for their team and who want to win for their team. That's the kind of thing we are looking to build here at Northampton.
"Thomond Park is always going to be a factor, but you have to learn to live with it. It is great for Munster to be playing there in front of such a passionate crowd.
"But it isn't something that should intimidate you as a player. We want the atmosphere to inspire us and we've told the players to go out and enjoy themselves.
"We want our players to get used to playing in these kinds of games and to win some silverware.
"I know they lost to Leinster at home last week, but I know what we would be like if we had just lost at home, but been given a chance to make amends immediately with another big game. I think that will inspire them."
