That's the stark assessment of the Herculean task facing Sale if they are to keep their faltering Heineken Cup campaign alive, according to England and British Lions legend Bill Beaumont.
In the wake of last weekend's bitterly disappointing 16-12 defeat at Montauban, Philippe Saint-Andre's men will travel to Limerick next month knowing only a victory will do if they are to maintain their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
And if they are to achieve what only two other clubs have managed in 13 years and triumph at Thomond Park, Beaumont says Sale's forwards will have to front up as never before.
"To have any hope of winning there, Sale's forwards will have to be on top form," said Beaumont.
"You might have the best backline in the world but it's you're forwards who will win that game, so Sale's pack have got to go there and front up from the first whistle.
"Sale will also be encouraged by the fact that Munster are not playing as well as they have been but Thomond Park is still a pretty intimidating place to go to. And really you would have to say that Munster will start as favourites at home. Sale have been there before in 2006, though they didn't get the result they wanted but it's the kind of game where you need a good start as Munster are a very difficult side to chase down a game against.
"They've got a strong line-out, and very good kicking game in Ronan O'Gara so you don't want to be playing catch-up rugby against them. But if you have got any aspirations as a player this is the kind of game you want to play in, do well in and put down a marker for the national squad.
"The Sale boys will know it's the sort of high profile match where you can really make a name for yourself.
"I just hope they don't look back and regret their home game against Munster back in October which slipped away from them."
While Sale search for a passport to glory in Ireland next month, longer term the club is preparing for life after director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre and talisman Sebastien Chabal.
But Beaumont insists the duo will be determined to leave on the highest of highs.
"Philippe and Sebastien will be as keen as anybody to leave a mark and the mark will be in winning something whether its in Europe or the Guinness Premiership," he said.
BILL Beaumont was speaking at the launch of Try Rugby, a an initiative to help tackle childhood obesity, developed by a partnership of Wooden Spoon, Premier Rugby and Sport England.
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