Stephen Ferris believes one of the key moments in Ulster's quest for Heineken Cup glory came not in the knockout stages but as far back as January.
The quarter-final win over Munster may be the most-talked about success so far this season given the fact that it came at fortress Thomond Park when critics gave them next to no chance of making it through to the last four but a pool game against English opposition at Ravenhill really set the tone for what has followed.
With their Heineken Cup hopes hanging in the balance in a hugely competitive group that also included semi-finalists ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ulster hammered former champions Leicester Tigers 41-7 in Belfast to reach the verge of the last eight.
The manner of the performance let the whole world know that Ulster meant business this year and Ferris says it gave the entire squad the belief that they really belong among Europe's elite.
"That was an important win. It gave everyone a lot of belief to see where we're at," said the inspirational blindside who will be at the heart of Ulster's push for a first continental crown in 13 years when they take on Irish rivals Leinster at 5pm.
"Leicester are one of the best teams in Europe and have been for the past 10 years. I suppose in some ways it was the perfect game, and that doesn't happen very often. But it happened that night at Ravenhill.
"We wanted to send out a statement to the whole of European rugby that Ulster in are in the Heineken Cup to compete and to try and win it. We laid down a marker that night as to where we were."
Fast forward four fixtures and Ulster are on the brink of history.
The title winning campaign of 1999 has for so long been the province's most-treasured memory but the current crop of players and coaches could ensure that the year 2012 becomes even more synonymous with Ulster Rugby.
And while the style of the performance against Leicester was a big an achievement as the victory itself, Ferris admits the Tigers themselves have reminded him that winning is the only thing that matters this afternoon.
"I was watching Leicester boss Richard Cockerill saying after the English Premiership play-off that when it comes to semi-final and finals rugby it's just all about winning," added Ferris, whose heroics when playing with all kinds of injuries have led to comparisons with the bionic man.
"It's not about whether it's a great spectacle for the fans, it's about getting over that line with a win.
"We didn't play our best rugby in the semi-final, or the quarter-final, but we got the wins and that's the most important thing. Hopefully, we'll get the same on Saturday.
"I've been fairly lucky all season. In the early part of the season throughout the World Cup, I didn't have any troubles at all with my knees at all. There was no pain or anything. But it's a been a long, old season and the games just keep getting bigger and bigger. I've had a few bumps and bangs in the last few games but thankfully there's been nothing serious and it hasn't really kept me from playing rugby.
"I'm feeling fantastic. I actually hurt my other knee in the semi-final by just twisting it slightly. It was a bit sore throughout that game but I've had a couple of weeks (to recover), have trained all week and am feeling really, really good.
"I've been getting looked after really well and I'm 100 per cent, ready and raring ready to go."
