Craig Casey says it would be "inconceivable" for Munster to miss out on Champions Cup rugby next season. The Reds scrum-half grew up watching his heroes battle with Europe's top sides but Friday night presents a "do or die" scenario for the province, he acknowledges. Munster's consecutive run in the competition since the 1995-96 season on the line. Benetton, in seventh place to Munster's eighth in the URC table, will arrive in Cork intent on scrapping for a play-off place at the hosts' expense at Virgin Media Park. Casey declared: "Munster and the Heineken Cup and the Champions Cup, it’s something...we have no choice. We have to be there, to be honest "The pressure's on. It would be inconceivable not to be there. There’s no point shying away from the pressure - pressure's probably a privilege in this scenario. We’re four games from a trophy so if you’re being weighed down by pr3ssure you’re probably in the wrong business to be honest. "The exciting thing that can happen for us is probably what we’re targeting rather than trying to weigh ourselves down with pressure. But, look, there is pressure there, that’s the reality. The play-offs and the Champions Cup, Munster are probably renowned for those things. "You try to take that pressure off, express ourselves and play our game. If we put our game onto the pitch I’d be confident we can do special things. We’ve got to do ourselves justice - then it’s knockout rugby and you’ve got a chance to win a trophy. We’ll look after this weekend first. "It's knockout rugby, it is do or die really. You’re not looking at bonus points so you’re not chasing down tries, you’re just trying to win the game. You can play the percentages a bit more - take your threes, sixes and nines and see where it leaves you." Casey hopes for something similar to last Friday's "unbelievable" Thomond Park atmosphere - one he hadn't experienced there for a long time. Peter O'Mahony's try lit the touch paper as the Reds strengthened their play-off hopes by consigning Ulster to the Challenge Cup. I don't think there's a better man that deserved that kind of atmosphere and a reaction like that for scoring a try, it was absolutely brilliant," said Casey. O'Mahony, Stephen Archer and Conor Murray will have their Cork send-off this week. Casey, who is a day shy of a decade younger than Murray, will make his 100th Munster appearance this week. This might be the one time he won't mind being subbed off a No.9 who has been his mentor and jersey rival - someone he has learned from since his first day as an academy player. Specifically, Casey says, on game management and the kicking game - but also in the calm way that Murray works. "It’s his last few months in the building so try and get as much out of him as I possibly can," said the 26-year-old. "But I’d say I had him driven demented for the first few years of my career. I’ve kind of eased off. "The career he's had is something that I'd absolutely love to do. The things that he's done - I've utmost respect for that man. He's one of my good mates now. We've been feisty and competitive, but it's been good competitiveness." Casey was "gutted" to miss out on Lions selection. He watched the announcement home alone and knew once Elliot Daly's name followed Bundee Aki's in alphabetical order. "I said I'd watch it in a room by myself and then I stayed in that room by myself for another two-and-a-half hours after that," he smiled. "It's definitely something that I'd still love to go on. I could get another two tours please God, if I do put my hand up in a few years time. "And who knows what happens from here on in. There's still a lot of rugby still to be played." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.