As the first province to win international silverware many of the candidates for selection in Ulster's greatest XV of the pro era are from their European cup winning side of 1999.
They also annexed both Celtic cup and Celtic league triumphs between 2004 and 2006. While they haven’t added to the trophy cabinet since, their general competitiveness and ability to consistently reach the knockout stages in Europe has risen this decade, as has the calibre of overseas player who has hitched up in Belfast.
With the high points so spread out over the last quarter century competition for places is fierce.
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The most exciting player to don the 15 jersey for Ulster has undoubtedly been Charles Piutau.
A statement signing in 2016, for a couple of seasons Piutau may well have been the best player in Europe.
It was hugely disappointing to see him leave for Bristol and equally disappointing that his ability never got full expression in the All Blacks jersey.
Another man who never quite got to impress in the silver fern, to Ireland's benefit, was Jared Payne. While Payne split his time between 15 and 13 in Belfast, his time in the Green jersey was almost exclusively at 13.
His defensive skills at outside centre were highly valued by Joe Schmidt in the immediate aftermath of Brian O’Driscoll’s retirement.
This is a dream team selection though and Payne’s attacking class from 15 is often glossed over in light of his performances for Ireland.
The last contender to make the shortlist is Simon Mason, very harsh on Bryn Cunningham who was a stalwart but the nostalgia nod goes to Mason’s goal kicking heroics of ’99.
RTÉ selection Charles Piutau
Wing
No shortage of quality here but Tommy Bowe is a shoo in.
Tyrone Howe was a lion, and for a few years at the start of the millennium, the only Ulster man holding down a place in the Ireland side. Andrew Trimble belongs in that same company.
Craig Gilroy and Jacob Stockdale have been the most prominent recent custodians and for a couple of years it looked as if Stockdale would be the best of anyone on this list. His form has unquestionably dipped in the last few months but it would be a pretty safe bet that if this team were being picked again in a decade he would be nailed on.
The mercurial James Topping rounds off the list of contenders.
RTE selection Tommy Bowe and Andew Trimble
Tommy Bowe was world class and would have a strong claim to making any all time Ireland XV.At his very best Trimble wasn't a million miles off that. His longevity and commitment to the shirt sees of the nascent claims of Stockdale and Gilroy.
