Fifteen months on and he still finds it hard to absorb, has to periodically avail of the hard evidence to substantiate the memories of a great triumph. Harry Williams happily concedes that he is still struggling to come to terms with the legacy of Ulster's wonderful European Cup success last season.

"It's still a sense of disbelief. I get out the videos, look at the photographs and marvel on what we achieved. You could certainly never get tired of watching it. It is definitely easier to enjoy it now. At the time you were too close, there were too many emotions and there was no way of taking everything in.

"There is also the fact that last season's euphoria is not tempered with failure. There is a bitter disappointment within the squad that we didn't perform better (this season). We know that we let ourselves down and at times the highs of the European Cup success seemed so far removed from the practicality of this season's campaign.

Ulster plummeted from the dizzy heights of victory to losing every match of this season's Heineken European Cup. But it is the experience of their wonderful odyssey to Lansdowne Road, culminating in a final victory over Colomiers, that leaves Williams perfectly placed to comment upon Munster's bid to emulate his charges.

"What Munster have achieved is absolutely fantastic. They have kept the whole country buzzing after a very promising Six Nations Championship. Their appeal is even greater in terms of the way that they have reached the final, the quality of rugby they have produced. It demonstrates what can be. Irish teams can not only win, but do so in style, playing an attractive brand of rugby."

The affable Williams shares a special place in Irish rugby with Munster's Declan Kidney; both men, along with Shannon and Munster's Niall O'Donovan, guided Ireland to a first ever Triple Crown success at A international level this season. Williams is perfectly placed to evaluate Kidney, whom he regards as a good friend. "Declan is a superb man-manager and will attend to every little detail to ensure success.

"He's a great character, possesses a wonderfully dry sense of humour, yet is very pragmatic and well organised when it comes to preparing a team. I hold him in very high regard; everything he does is sensible. I spoke to him briefly after the Toulouse match. We have had quiet a few chats this season, not just when we were together with the A team but in terms of giving videos of prospective opponents and, I suppose, just talking."

So what about the build-up the final? "They have had a long break, which can be a bit difficult in the sense that you can't keep players focussed on something that's three weeks away initially. You have to distract them and then, on the week of the match, the build-up will have a familiar look. You can't tell players that it is simply another match.

"We were very keyed up. Everyone was aware of the potential achievement." The legacy of Ulster's success continues to affect Williams. "You are thrust into the public eye and that lasts. Even now we are generally recognised and it's very hard to go out for a quiet meal. I suppose it's a damn good job that we won the European Cup; it made it easier to brush this season under the carpet."

Will Williams be at Twickenham? "I wouldn't miss this for the world. I am looking forward to the day with great anticipation. It'll be lovely to sit there and soak up the atmosphere, something that wasn't really possible last year. And then to watch a Munster victory, that would be best of all. Munster will win. . .definitely."