Since then however Ulster have come a long way and completed a RaboDirect PRO12 double over Leinster last weekend with an impressive victory in Dublin with Jackson at the fore.
Since last year's final, Jackson has also won his first three Ireland caps and Muller has revealed the extent of the fly-half's influence over the side.
"Basically I run out at the front and that's about it," Muller told the Belfast Telegraph.
"It's Paddy who runs this team. He's an outstanding little leader and he has put in a huge amount of work, week in and week out, analysing videos, making sure that the calling system is in place.
"Nines and tens basically run your team and he has done an absolutely brilliant job.
"We get an email every Tuesday night from Paddy telling us exactly what the calls are, where we're doing what on the field. That's a special person.
"He has been knocked down so many times, but he gets up, better and better and better every single time so I've got a huge amount of respect for him.
"I think in time he's going to become a world-class player if he keeps his head down and keeps on working hard, like he has done over the past couple of months."
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