ERC 15 (1995 - 2010)

ERC15 Panellist Donal Lenihan discusses the challenges the Panel faced in Selecting ERC's European Dream Team

He may not be everyone's favourite rugby player, but he sure has made his presence felt since moving to France at the start of the decade.

The freakish Fijian may have his detractors, and he has definitely had his fair share of controversies, but nobody can deny that in full flight he is one of the most awe inspiring sights in the history of the game.

Any man that arrives at Munster from the Southern Hemisphere and becomes the team captain within a couple of years (as voted so by the players) must be doing something right.

In the 15 years of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Cup (and all its previous reincarnations) a major facet of both these competitions has been the immense contributions of some of the big name southern hemisphere imports.

Try number one goes to Denis Hickie's outrageous effort in the never to be forgotten 41-35 quarter-final away win over Toulouse in 2006.

Last play of the game, off a lineout just inside the Sale half, the Ospreys have to score a converted try as they trail 10-16 with the whistle imminent.

There are a number of Brian O'Driscoll tries that could adorn this section, but this is the one that made the cut.

Picking the best 15 tries in the history of the European Cup is a difficult task, as we have witnessed some mesmerizing rugby since the competition's inception in 1995...

The 14th season of the Amlin Challenge Cup saw sweeping and highly significant changes introduced to both its structure and the rewards awaiting the winner.

MUNSTER had made it third time lucky - and put the heartbreak of being losing finalists in 2000 and 2002 firmly behind them - as they were roared on by their passionate army of traveling fans to a 23-19 Heineken Cup final triumph over Biarritz Olympique at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 20 May, 2006.

Twelve months on and TOULOUSE made it two in that elite "double" club, ultimately beating French rivals Perpignan 22-17 after seeing a 19-points half-time lead being whittled away as the Catalans staged a dramatic comeback in a match in which the strong wind and showers played a major role.

With the tournament now embracing 20 teams - four fiercely contested Pools of five - only Leicester and Brive reached the knock-out stages with 100 per cent records and ultimately made it all the way to the final, Cardiff and Toulouse falling at the semi-final stage.

The Heineken Cup is celebrating its 15th season and while the landmark tournament campaign will climax in the Stade de France final on 22 May, 2010...