Declan Kidney, coach of the champions, could afford an ironic smile as he reconsidered his initial objections to the inaugural and hugely successful home-and-away interprovincial series.

At the half-way point, Munster had been lucky to be fourth - although it enabled some of their number to make a profitable investment at odds of 11 to 2.

"I remember telling the boys before this game that I was as nervous before the fourth game, against Connacht. They stuck at it then, and that was crucial, because in the final analysis I think it was our two wins over Connacht which was probably the reason why we won the series."

Indeed, analysis of the championship will show that Munster's double over Connacht was not merely the only double over the western province, it was the only double of the series.

Munster timed their run to perfection. Where initially the force had been with Ulster, and then Leinster, finally it was Munster - who reeled off three successive wins on the homeward run.

As Kidney pointed out there was a further consideration here when one reconsiders the less than flying start to the campaign of some of their key men up front - Peter Clohessy, Mick Galwey and Anthony Foley.

"I felt it was important to give these guys a rest after their exertions on the South African tour, because they needed to be right coming into the World Cup qualifiers, which is the whole point of the exercise. I think Peter Clohessy's covering tackle late on in the second half shows he's very much there now."

There's little doubt that the Irish management's exclusion of all bar Clohessy and Galwey was an additional incentive for some Munster men, especially their back row.

Leinster coach Mike Ruddock admitted that Ulster pipping them for second place was a double blow, but added: "It's a very competitive championship and for Irish rugby, it's been a great success."

Meanwhile, Mick Galwey was giving his acceptance speech, cheekily citing this win as "good for Irish rugby, because it shows that the underdog will always come back".

Yeah Mick, Munster underdogs? Who are you kidding?

Munster's Alan Quinlan was called into the Irish squad last night.