In the wake of Munster's many finest hours - the list is too long to catalogue here - Declan Kidney often comes across as a slightly emotional and proud father figure as much as their coach. In the shivering aftermath of this splash-and-grab raid on Stradey Park, Saturday night was no different for, in its way, Munster have rarely had to dig deeper.
"There was great composure shown there and all credit to Ronan (O'Gara) and Anthony Foley and Mick O'Driscoll and all the leaders in there. We learned lessons last week, and we were a bit more patient this week. But the Scarlets aren't gone. The Scarlets are going to have an effect on this group. This is a back-to-back fixture and this is a huge achievement for us to come over here and win. But there's very few teams who manage to get the better of them two weeks running."
Indeed, Llanelli have completed the back-to-back double more than anybody in the tournament's history - six times - and have never been beaten in successive games by the same opposition. Munster lead at the half-way point in this toughest of all pools, two away games out of the way, though characteristically, Kidney played that down.
"Talk to me after round six. That's the time to be top of the table. All it does is, it makes it easier to go training on Monday. But the Scarlets are a very good side and when we go to Thomond Park next week if we don't have all 15 men up and running we're going to be in trouble. It's going to be 1pm next Sunday and we're going to need every ounce."
The extent of David Wallace's arm injury will need time to diagnose, not least as he'll have to thaw out first. "He had a bit of a crack on the arm, so we'll have to give it 24 to 48 hours and certainly these first few hours will tell nothing because they're so cold," said Kidney who revealed that there was no talking or post mortem in the away dressingroom as players sought the sanctuary of hot showers.
"You've got to take your hat off to Munster and give them credit," admitted Llanelli coach Phil Davies magnanimously. "They're a great team in this competition. They put together 27 to 30 phases at one point and that's terrific play in these conditions, and credit to them. I think they were more consistent in managing the conditions."
A tad ominously, Stephen Jones, Daffyd James and hooker Matthew Rees are all expected to return for the Scarlets next week.
"It's a great place," Davies said of Thomond Park. "When the Scarlets' supporters and the Munster supporters get together it's always a great occasion. You saw that tonight in horrific conditions. We'll be fine. It's going to be a terrific game and hopefully it'll be dry and we can get back on the horse so to speak.
"I don't have a crystal ball but they're all top teams," said Davies when asked to pick a group winner. "All of them are capable of beating each other at any one time and it's going to be quite intriguing. We're not going to lay down and make it easy for anyone, that's for sure. We've got three games left and if we can come out of this pool with three out of six I'll be well happy, and that's still in our hands at the moment."
Llanelli captain Simon Easterby admitted he was impressed with Munster, "especially as the conditions deteriorated in the second half. They kept the ball particularly well and scored a good try. They deserve their victory and they look in good shape at the moment."
But even if offered a hypothetical £1,000 (€1,386) bet for charity, Easterby couldn't split the three remaining contenders in the Pool of Sharks. "That's very difficult. They've all got their qualities. Today Munster probably showed they're the best side in the conditions and their forward pack was outstanding. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I know for a fact we won't be giving any easy victories away. This group will go down to the wire. We may not be in the mix but we'll certainly have a say in who wins the group and I think it's important that we do that."
The key now for Munster is to leave Llanelli 0 from 4, and then let them have their say afterwards.
