When Ulster won the Celtic League in 2006, a young Tommy Bowe thought it was the start of something big. But two decades later, that remains the province's last domestic trophy, and on Friday they have a chance to end the drought when they face Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final.
David Humphreys' last-gasp drop goal, which clipped both posts before going over, sealed a dramatic win over Ospreys on the final day of the season. That moment is etched in Ulster folklore, but for the players involved, it was about more than just the kick.
"It was a special time, a special team," Bowe reflected. "We're back in a final, so hopefully they can go on to recreate those great memories."
The 2006 squad blended experienced heads like Humphreys and Justin Harrison with emerging talents such as Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Rory Best, and Stephen Ferris. Harrison, now a former captain, emphasized the importance of buying into Ulster's identity. "Ulster is a proud province. There's history in Northern Ireland that you don't need to be a historian to know that it's very important when you pull on a jersey to represent Ulster, it's serious," he said.
Trimble, who admitted he had a poster of Humphreys on his bedroom wall, revealed a humorous twist: watching highlights at a recent anniversary dinner showed Humphreys had a "stinker" of a match up to that point. "He actually had a bit of a stinker, which was hilarious to watch," Trimble joked.
Now, 20 years on, Richie Murphy's side faces Montpellier in Bilbao. The French side are strong favorites, sitting second in the Top 14 and having won the Challenge Cup twice before. Ulster, meanwhile, lost momentum at the end of the URC season but have shown progress under Murphy.
Bowe believes Ulster can win. "This team is more than capable of playing a really exciting brand of rugby and running this Montpellier team around," he said. Trimble sees a side with character, reminiscent of the 2006 squad. "To me it looks like there are characters in that side and it looks like a side that can dig in and get the job done whenever it counts," he added.
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Friday at San Mames Stadium. A win would not only bring silverware but also secure Champions Cup qualification for next season.