The full-back racked up 144 points over the course of the season 22 years ago and was in impeccable form in the final as he slotted six penalties from six attempts.

Colomiers went ahead early on through a Laurent Labit penalty but Mason responded with four of his own before half-time.

Fly-half David Humphreys nailed a drop-goal to extend Ulster’s lead in the second half before Colomiers substitute Mickaël Carré reduced the deficit with another penalty.

But Mason would go on to add two further place-kicks and seal a momentous win for Ulster as they lifted the trophy for the first time.

The victory in the final was Ulster’s fourth against French opposition in the 1998-99 tournament, having beaten Toulouse twice in the pool stage and reigning domestic champions Stade Francais Paris in the semi-finals.

There were a number of standout performers as Ulster put in a dogged display in front of 49,000 fans at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, with centre Jonny Bell picking up man of the match.

A heroic performance from Simon Mason saw him kick 18 points as Ulster Rugby beat Colomiers 21-9 on this day in the 1999 Heineken Cup final.