Earlier this year the Irish province celebrated the 10th anniversary of their finest hour - that never-to-be-forgotten European Cup final victory at Lansdowne Road - and while they have continued to dine at the continent's top table ever since, they have been left mostly feeding on scraps.

BBC: Ulster restore pride in white jersey

The Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 was, arguably, to have been his finest hour, leading the cream of British and Irish rugby on their journey to take on the mighty All Blacks.

BBC: Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll reaches 100 caps