Having secured a Heineken Cup quarter-final last time out with a 38-6 win against Edinburgh Rugby, their 11th win in their last 12 fixtures in all competitions, confidence is high at Thomond Park.
And Downey admits while it is an opportunity for those on the fringe of the first XV to make their case for a starting role, all must be wary of teams wanting to humble the RaboDirect PRO12 leaders.
"This four-week block is going to be huge, especially with the internationals away, but it's a great chance for the younger lads to stake their claim," said Downey.
"The momentum is there, we're going well. It's a matter of keeping the momentum going, we've done well but now there's a bit of a change with the international boys away.
"It's an opportunity for the younger lads to put their stamp on the team - as they've done earlier in the season - and keep that going for the next four or five weeks.
"I think every team that comes to Thomond Park will try to take a scalp, we're top of the league and everybody wants to beat the team at the top.
"We're being held up there on a pedestal, people up their game when they come over to Thomond and we'll have to up our game accordingly."
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