It wasn't destiny or divine intervention. Munster simply reaped the reward of getting their process spot on. In contrast, Biarritz failed in the unenviable task of trying to outmuscle their opponents.

Having clearly learned from defeat in previous finals, Munster changed tack accordingly. They needed points on the board, especially after conceding the early - and completely illegal - Sereli Bobo try. Anthony Foley and Ronan O'Gara twice spurned kickable penalties. The reward eventually came when Trevor Halstead crashed over after 10 minutes of sustained pressure.

In the past, taking the handy three points had not been enough. Kicking for touch was an ever so slight tactical deviation but it was unexpected and had the desired effect on the scoreboard.

My father was no great coaching mastermind but he handed over one piece of advice that has stayed with me throughout my career: the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins matches.

Bobo coming off his wing for the Peter Stringer try was inexcusable. It wasn't Serge Betsen's fault. Stringer kept his cards close to his chest (he didn't look up) and just went for it.

It was wonderful to see the smallest man in European rugby play like a colossus on the main stage. The Irish number nine ran the game, though you can be sure he bought a beer for numbers one through eight on return to Limerick late Saturday night.

Exposing the blindside became an option only after Jerry Flannery and co presented a secure scrum five metres from the Biarritz line. If they had been twisted or shoved backward the opportunity would not have materialised.

Despite being under pressure at scrum time all afternoon, Munster did enough to survive the enormous Basque pack.

They also supplied their scrumhalf with pristine ball at the breakdown.

And they weathered the relative eclipse of Paul O'Connell at the lineout. Granted, O'Connell carried a wounded ankle into battle but Biarritz double-teamed him using Imanol Harinordoquy. It didn't matter as Flannery's darts never missed the immense Donncha O'Callaghan.

O'Connell and, the other unfit forward, Marcus Horan, were still fantastic around the field.

In fact, every player stepped up, the only significant errors being the wayward tactical kicking of O'Gara in the third quarter.

This was a period of intense pressure. He recovered. The man didn't miss one kick at goal, while the team took the two-try scoring opportunities that came their way. They denied Biarritz so many.

A professional coach probably shouldn't refer to the X factor but it was at full throttle on Saturday. Even watching from Sydney in the early hours, the scenes from O'Connell Street in Limerick left a lump in the throat. When, during a stoppage in play for an injury, the stadium big screen showed the crowd back home, it galvanised the supporters beyond belief.

The Basque support was also noticeable. Just.

Both teams are of similar background: one was representing the Basque region, the other, on Saturday at least, Ireland. The people responded but so did the teams. They played for more than themselves. It was the most unbelievable rugby spectacle I have ever seen.

Declan Kidney also deserves the accolades that must surely follow. Having taken the slings and arrows that come with coaching at the top level - like being underused by Ireland and not quite making the connection at Leinster - Kidney has now led Munster to three European finals and, with this win, duly joins an elite group of coaches.

On a point of information, when are the IRB going to allow television match officials to rule on more than just the grounding of the ball for tries? It was outrageous that Bobo's try was allowed to stand. Imagine if Biarritz had won the match late on? The sad thing is it will probably take an injustice of such proportions to prompt a change in the law.

It wasn't the fault of the touch judge Dave Pearson either; it took two or three replays to see Bobo clearly put a foot in touch.

At least justice prevailed. Munster deserved to be crowned champions of Europe because they have always had a great attitude, even after the agonising defeats of recent years. Back-to-back titles are beyond most teams in Europe but not these men.