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The match pits the current Heineken Cup holders against two-time European kings in a contest where the outcome will go some way to determining the mood of each side's campaign.
"Munster are a quality side, and to face them at home in Round 1 presents a fascinating challenge," said Howard, a Heineken Cup winner as a player with the Tigers in 2001.
"They are strong in every department, and know what it takes to win on the road.
"We are focusing all our efforts on beating Munster at Welford Road. It's going to be a very interesting start to this year's Heineken Cup, the Leicester fans are fantastic and they really will help build an amazing atmosphere."
And the Australian knows the other two sides in the Pool - Cardiff Blues and Bourgoin - are not there just there to make up the numbers.
"This pool is not just about us and Munster," he said. "Cardiff Blues are playing very well at the moment and Bourgoin are very strong in France. There will be no easy games in this Pool, it's going to be tough from start to finish."
With just six games in the Pool stage a single defeat can make quarter-final qualification an uphill challenge, and Howard says he will prepare his side to focus on each match as if it were a cup final.
"Obviously the first hurdle is to get out of our Pool and any club who looks any further than that is likely to come unstuck," he added
Leicester Tigers v Munster kicks off at Welford road on Sunday, October 22 at 3.00, and is live on Sky Sports.
