Munster faced a mammoth task as they looked set to be denied a slot in the last eight, requiring a 27–point swing and at least four tries to snatch a spot in the quarter-finals from Gloucester Rugby who were progressing well in the English Premiership.

However, a brace of tries from John Kelly and one apiece from Mossy Lawler and Mick O’Driscoll - as well as a nerveless 80th minute conversion from Ronan O’Gara - was enough to secure a spot in the quarter-finals for the Irish province in front of a partisan home crowd.

“The message came on to keep going and not to let them score,” Quinlan said. “We got the penalty at the end after three tries. It was interesting because we scored in each quarter if you like.

“The 19th, 40th, 60th and then close to the 80th minute but it was a really tough job because they were a good side but we were so determined.

“If I could just go back and stand on that pitch again it would just be sensational because it was just a special game."

Quinlan reserved praise for the Munster faithful who played their part in one of the all-time great European matches.

“The fans were amazing and it just meant so much to people and then about an hour later we realised we had to go to Welford Road for the quarter-finals,” the former Ireland international added.

“It was a crazy day and when the final whistle went it was just a sensational feeling.

“It was a different week when the European games came along. There was so much excitement after we came back as thought it was going to be a long few months because we aren’t looking forward to a quarter-final.

“We jumped around the field and went into the dressing room and then came back out and the scenes were amazing.”

The Miracle Match was the first of many classic Heineken Champions Cup Rewinds to be shown on ChampionsCupRugby.com and our various social media feeds in the coming weeks and you can get the chance to decide who will be on show next weekend. Look out for our vote on Monday to have your say!

Two-time European Cup winner Alan Quinlan has highlighted the “amazing” Thomond Park crowd that helped Munster Rugby secure a famous 33-6 win over Gloucester Rugby in the game dubbed ‘The Miracle Match’.