It says everything about the unpredictable nature of the interprovincials that before launching their unforgettable European Cup odyssey, Ulster were first derailed last August despite leading 18-0 at the Sportsground.
Indeed, Connacht have beaten Ulster on their last two trips to Galway, and that comeback win was also reminiscent of a couple of other memorable Connacht comebacks against Leinster.
However, that day will probably only serve to make Ulster travel down with less delusions of grandeur than their grandiose title of European champions would suggest. The lesson seemed to be learnt last season for, when the sides met again in the interprovincial finale at Ravenhill, Ulster ran up a four try, 30-point win.
Underlining the seemingly seamless transition to this season, two-thirds of Ulster's starting line-up that night return for the seasonal kick-off this afternoon. Nor will the addition of Dion O'Cuinneagain, Paddy Johns, James Topping, Gary Leslie and Tyrone Howe weaken their hand.
By contrast, Connacht retain only six of their final interprovincial lineup of last year. Glenn Ross maintains that they're stronger for the infusion of new blood, and you wouldn't doubt him, although the core of southern hemisphere accents running through the team possibly threatens the us-against-the-world Connacht identity which served them so well - two years ago especially.
Ross has less scope to work with, a point underlined by the selection of a hooker, Bernard Jackman, at openside flanker. Being pitted directly against Andy Ward is a huge task. Once Ross had brought back Mark McConnell, this left him with only one more contract for an overseas player, and the established openside of the last two years, Junior Charlie, was sacrificed to accommodate Martyn Steffert.
The athletic McConnell and Steffert will assuredly strengthen Connacht's line-out, and despite Shane McDonald's absence with a groin injury, their scrum should hold good, too. But the absence of the physical Charlie could be felt, as he was man-of-the-match in the win over Ulster two seasons ago.
Connacht probably haven't had as many strings to their bow out wide since the Curtis-Geoghegan-Staples era, even if Mel Deane, Pat Duignan, Matt Mostyn and co have some way to go to be compared to that London Irish axis.
But it is in the back-row that Ulster seem to have a discernible edge, with O'Cuinneagain, Andy Ward and Tony McWhirter to be supplemented by the impact of Eric Miller at some stage. If Ulster don't get bogged down in a war of attrition like last year's corresponding clash, and maintain the ball-in-hand pace of their opening that day by setting up targets wider out, then the greater all-round mobility of their pack should really start to have an effect.
