Iain Henderson is frustrated that Ulster's 2012 Heineken Cup final appearance is still regarded as the major highlight in the province's last decade.
The Ireland star made his Ulster debut in April 2012, just weeks before the province played in that season's European decider at Twickenham, losing heavily to Leinster.
Henderson wasn't in the matchday squad and is unhappy that, despite coming close to at least emulating that achievement, Ulster haven't got there.
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Leinster, meanwhile, have four victories in the competition since the last time Ulster were European champions.
"That's something that people still talk about at Ulster but for me, that's incredibly frustrating because we didn't win anything," the 30-year-old stated of the 2012 run.
"That's one of the biggest things in my time playing, that's one of the high points."
Henderson was speaking at the launch of the new BKT URC season earlier this week, where Leinster's Josh van der Flier was among the other players present.
"It's frustrating seeing Josh walk around with all of the stars over his badge," admitted the Ulster skipper, accentuating the point.
But Henderson claims that Ulster's young guns coming back with a chip on their shoulder could be the final piece in the jigsaw for the province.
Henderson admits the last few years have been "incredibly frustrating" for Dan McFarland and his players, given how close they have come to lifting silverware.
Last season Ulster were moments away from beating Toulouse in the Champions Cup quarter-finals and lost to the Sharks in the URC semis in Cape Town, despite having the lead at the 80 minute mark against 14 men.
The fact remains it was 2009 when Ulster conquered Europe for the only time, and 2006 when they won the PRO14 title.
"We've been getting better and better each season," said Henderson. "We've been there or thereabouts the last couple of seasons.
"Probably in 2019/20 Leinster did do a bit of a job on us in a couple of games, but it's a continuous spectrum of everyone trying to get better.
"It's how much quicker can you get better because everyone's going to be improving.
"Something we've got to be mindful of is our younger guys.
"They're incredible professionals and it's ensuring that they have that continued desire to want to get better - guys like Mike Lowry, James Hume, Rob Baloucoune, Eric O'Sullivan, who is maybe a bit older but in that same bracket.
"It's having those guys continually striving for the next step, not just being happy with last season but having almost a chip on your shoulder going forward.
"Last season, we could have beaten the Stormers in the regular season, then to come so close again...so in some ways, it's comforting to know we're there or thereabouts, we are able to do it.
"But finally crossing the line is the next step. If I knew how to do it, I would have tried to do it these last 10 years!".
Henderson suffered a knee injury in training ahead of the first Ireland Test against New Zealand.
It was while travelling that the reality of missing out on the three cracks at the All Blacks hit home, but he revelled in the Ireland displays as history was made.
He also underwent surgery on his thumb and fingers and it could be another month or so before he returns to action and he will sit out the opener against Connacht on Saturday week.
"We started with Connacht in 2020 in the Aviva and they absolutely hoked us," he recalled.
"That intensity is not too dissimilar to what we've talked about with Ireland - making sure that we're not easing into it when we start.
"They're going to come up and hit the ground running, that will be an incredible start to their season if they beat us at home.
"We've got to be wary of that. The coaches will be aware of that.
"We're going to try to set out our inter-pro stand early and that's some opportunity to do it with Connacht at home."
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