Forget the heroics of 1999, in picking Paddy Jackson to start at fly-half in today’s Heineken Cup semi-final with Edinburgh (5.45pm), Brian McLaughlin could not have sent out a clearer message to the Ulster faithful that his team is ready to write a new chapter in their history.

Timoci Nagussa, Clinton Schifcofske, Ed O’Donoghue, Robbie Diack and Cillian Willis should be able to make their debuts at the start of a season that spells real change for the norethern province.