Challenge Cup final: Bonds, character and drama – When Ulster last won silverware

For Trimble, the development in the squad over the past 12 months has created “characters”, which resembles the famous title-winning crop of 2006.

“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.

“And that to me is a team that’s kind of really matured and grown up and they know how to deliver.”

Trimble added there is “probably hope rather than expectation” that Ulster will win in Bilbao, but Murphy’s team are in a position where “they can get the job done”.

“It’s exciting being an Ulster fan, certainly a lot more exciting than it was last year.

“There have been a lot of difficulties and those difficulties create that character that we’re talking about.

“They’ve an opportunity to try and bring some silverware back to Belfast and, to me, it looks like this is a special group capable of it.”

Trimble’s sentiments were echoed by Harrison, who said every competition in rugby is more difficult to win than it was in his playing days.

“Ulster have positioned themselves very, very well to be confident, and rightly so going into the final,” former Australia international Harrison added.

“We are here to support the current team, to remind them that once upon a time some players wore the jersey and now, because of that, we are connected.”