European highs and lows: O'Gara's final frontier

Saturday will mark the Corkman's seventh continental decider as both player and coach. The previous six have thrown up plenty of memories...

Finally getting his hands on it: Munster's Ronan O'Gara celebrates with Heineken Cup after the 2006 final against Biarritz Olympique at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. Pic: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

2000: Northampton Saints 9 Munster 8 – Twickenham, January 27

The game that handed the fly-half, then a 22-year-old making just his 25th appearance for Munster, a miserable but career-shaping experience after four missed kicks from four, including one in the 79th minute. In a tight game, David Wallace scored the game’s only try and Jason Holland kicked a drop goal as Declan Kidney’s Munster took an 8-6 half-time lead but it was Saints’ Paul Grayson who won the goal-kicking battle, slotting three from three to allow Pat Lam to the lift the trophy for Northampton.