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The current crop of Ulster stars are now preparing for a second Heineken Cup Final against Leinster in London on May 19 and Williams is hoping the achievements of the class of '99 will finally be matched by a new generation of Ravenill heroes.
"It's always nice to be first to achieve something, but it also gets lonely being the only ones," said Holywood Primary School's former headmaster who guided a team under the captaincy of David Humphreys to a 21-6 victory over Colomiers at the old Lansdowne Road.
"It's absolutely brilliant that they are through to the final. I have talked to some of the '99 boys since the semi-final win over Edinburgh and everyone is thrilled that, at long last, Ulster are in another final.
"I did watch the semi-final and they were certainly very effective, playing most of the game in the right areas of the pitch and, apart from the odd occasion, they kept the pressure firmly on Edinburgh all day long - which is what cup rugby is all about.
"It's all very well playing open attacking football but if you have to win ugly then you win ugly.
"Over the last three years Leinster have been quite exceptional, very much the form team in Europe, and it is hard to find a weakness in their game so they will go into the final as very much the favourites. However, to use that old cliché, it really is very much about what happens on the day.
"There is now a very rugged look about Ulster. Johann Muller has brought a bit of steel to the side and they now have a tremendously hard working pack and some exciting young backs.
"They will have their hands full with Leinster but it is going to be quite a game and I will do my best to be at Twickenham for the final.
"It's great to be talking about the 2012 final because it really is time to put 1999 to bed and then people will stop talking to old codgers like me!
"However, a few people have been asking if we plan to do anything before the final so the family atmosphere is still there. Before that Dublin final in '99 the boys said that if they won they would be friends for life and that still rings true."
