Two previous failures in the finals of 2000 and 2002 had helped turn the competition into the province’s Holy Grail, an elusive target that seemed just beyond their reach.

But last season was Munster’s time with victories over big guns Sale, Perpignan and Leinster setting up a memorable Millennium Stadium showdown with Biarritz.

Only one side has successfully defended the title – Leicester – while Toulouse is the only other to have won it more than once.

Leamy knows that for Munster to become one of the renowned teams in Heineken Cup history they must repeat last season’s heroics – and the powerful back row revealed there exists a steely determination to achieve exactly that.

“I don’t think the pressure is off now we’ve won the competition,” he said. “It would be terrible to go out and not perform to our ability. That would be no good to anyone.

“I don’t think you can truly be considered a great team unless you’ve won it two or three times, like the Leicesters and Toulouses have done.

“Guys like Donncha O’Callaghan and Ronan O’Gara are training harder than ever. We’re all working harder than ever to try to stay ahead of everyone else.

“Being called champions of Europe doesn’t guarantee anything.”

Munster open their defence with one of the toughest possible assignments – a trip to Welford Road to face Leicester, their conquerors in the 2002 final.

Cardiff and Bourgoin also occupy a tricky Pool Four and Leamy, whose aggression and work rate has made him a fixture in Ireland’s back row, knows Munster’s champions status will make them this season’s prized scalp.

“It’s going to be very difficult again,” he said. “Now it’s a target for everyone in their season to beat Munster and obviously going over to Leicester first up is going to be very difficult.

“Welford Road is one of the great venues of European rugby. They’re going to be so up for it it’s unreal.

“If we don’t get ourselves mentally and physically right we’re in for a horrible night.”

Kidney, Munster’s coach, has told his players what is expected from them by using a golfing analogy.

Leamy explained: “Declan has likened it to golf terms in that a bit like Colin Montgomerie we were always there or thereabouts but had never won a major.

“But now that we have a major we have to become more like Tiger Woods and look to win them every year. That’s the attitude we have to take.”

Anthony Foley has relinquished the captaincy after two years in charge with Ireland and Lions' Paul O’Connell taking over the leaderships duties.

Foley has been named vice captain alongside fly-half Ronan O’Gara in what remains a formidable Munster outfit, especially up front where their all-Ireland pack is intact for another campaign.