January 18, 2003 is still in everyone’s memory, especially for those from the Irish province. Munster and Gloucester fought an incredible battle, known ever since as the ‘Miracle Match’ for its breathtaking finish.

Frenchman Joel Jutge, the match referee, is still moved today by the atmosphere which enveloped Thomond Park.

“It’s a stadium with an extraordinary atmosphere, made even more so today by the supporters being so close to the players," Jutge said.

"You still feel the soul of the amateur game. It’s a fairly unique place with a small corridor to access the impressive pitch.

"I never sought to shield myself from this exceptional atmosphere; I looked to soak it up and let the match carry me along. It was very euphoric.”

Two French players were in Gloucester colours – fly-half Ludovic Mercier and hooker Olivier Azam, who had Phil Vickery and Rodrigo Roncero alongside him. “A hallowed front row,” recalls Jutge.

“Opposite them, you had the classical players Stringer and O’Gara, the late lamented Foley and the captain Williams, a loyal guy. There were some big names on both sides.”

An O’Gara penalty and a try from Mossie Lawler, while Gloucester were down to 14 men, propelled Minster into a 16-6 interval lead. O’Gara then extended Munster’s lead to 19-6 with his second penalty, but it was only after he converted Mick O’Driscoll’s 56th minute try that Munster’s qualification looked possible.

“There were a lot of mauls that excited the crowd as soon as they advanced a few metres. But the most impressive thing was the cathedral-like silence that greeted the goalkickers. These silences gave you goosebumps. There wasn’t a sound.

“I knew the challenge for Munster – that they had to score four tries – but I didn’t know that they had to open up a 27-point gap.

"It became clear with some surprising, game-changing decisions. It was another type of rugby – professional, but with a hint of the amateur game. It was magnificent.

"You felt that the end of the match was going to be intense. Right from the start of the second half, the Munstermen exerted huge pressure."

John Kelly’s second try, followed by O’Gara’s decisive conversion, enabled Munster to beat Gloucester 33-6 at the end of an epic encounter to clinch second place in Pool 2 behind the winners, Perpignan.

Joel Jutge refereed the 'Miracle Match' between Munster Rugby and Gloucester Rugby and retains a special memory of this spectacular encounter, which saw the Irish province book a ticket to the quarter-finals of the European Cup.