Munster scored the only try of the match - but in a tale of two boots, Northampton secured a historic victory thanks to the ever-prolific Paul Grayson.

He slotted over three penalty kicks - while his opposite number Ronan O'Gara missed all four of his efforts.

Saints' captain Pat Lam was a man inspired, but Northampton were let down by poor passes in promising positions on occasion.

This gave head coach Declan Kidney hope, and the Irish contingent were sent wild when a series of quick, accurate passes allowed David Wallace to score the only try of the match on 33 minutes, although O'Gara found the kick too testing and Munster had to be satisfied with a five-point lead.

However, the initiative finally swung Northampton's way, when Grayson scored his third penalty to put Saints into a one-point lead.

Munster then squandered another opportunity when O’Gara missed his third kick of the match, and although they dominated in terms of possession, they couldn’t convert into points and Northampton came out on top by a point.

Northampton Saints director of rugby John Steele said after the match: "We were very positive all week. This has been a big season for the players and to have come this close and not won a trophy would have been a major disappointment.

"I felt we deserved our victory today - it is fantastic. I think people perceived that we would play like a tired side and maybe it took Munster aback that we weren't the war-weary team many people thought."

A trio of penalties from Paul Grayson was enough for Northampton Saints to secure a first European Cup title as they edged out Munster Rugby 9-8, on this day in 2000.