Celtic League champions in 2006, Ireland's first European Champions in 1999, Ulster have a long, storied history - the birthplace of legendary Lions Captain Willie John McBride - and have not failed to make the top four since 2012.
Though they are six points behind last year's champions Glasgow Warriors and only two-points ahead of Scarlets, Ulster's side is shot through with players experienced in producing their best rugby on the big stage and could yet secure knockout rugby in a campaign which is 'the toughest' Les Kiss has seen.
King Kiss:
Kiss was brought in to oversee long-term development in the professional game in Ulster and though they have perhaps not reached the heights of recent seasons, the Australian former rugby league star has only been in the job full-time since the Rugby World Cup ended, and immediate silverware is still very much a possibility.
Nick Williams, Tommy Bowe and Iain Henderson have all spent considerable time out through injury, but Ulster have still racked up a league double over high-flying Connacht and impressive home wins against Glasgow Warriors and final weekend opponents Ospreys.
With a stable coaching team including Kiss and former Ulster stalwart Neil Doak, an enviable core of young yet experienced players - Paddy Jackson, Henderson, Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall - as well as Stuart McCloskey's raw talent, the region seem primed for success - if not this year, then they are likely to figure at the Guinness PRO12 summit for years to come.
Greatest Season, 2005/6:
Ulster were finalists in 2013 and on balance, probably deserved the crown for a regular season in which they lost just four times. But, they lost the match that counted most - 24-18 to Joe Schmidt's Leinster.
Mark McCall's 2005-6 vintage are Ulster's only Celtic League champions and it was with one swing of David Humphreys' boot that they won their first and only league title.
It was Leinster initially who looked the dominant Celtic League force, completing a league double over Ulster, following up a monumental 30-23 win at Donnybrook with a 24-19 Boxing Day win at the Kingspan Stadium.
Ulster though, guided by current Saracens supremo McCall, were consistently turning in positive results and despite the disappointment in losing twice to their bitter rivals, were very much in the title frame.
A 22-12 festive loss to Connacht at the Sportsground proved to be vital impetus in moving the Ulstermen towards their first and only Celtic League title.
From January 7 to May 26 2006, Humphreys and co did not lose a game, winning nine and drawing only once - 12-12 against Llanelli in the penultimate week of the season.
Ulster reached the Celtic League summit with a commanding 27-3 win over Munster, scoring five tries, with Bowe and Roger Wilson among those crossing, and the margin could have been much larger were it not for an unusually errant Humphreys kicking display.
Leinster dipped when it counted most, losing twice on the road as the league reached its climax and ultimately, it came down to a straight shoot-out between the two Irish provinces on the season's final day.
And for a long time, it looked as though Brian O'Driscoll and Felipe Contepomi had stolen the show as Ulster battled it out with Ospreys at Liberty Stadium.
A Gavin Henson try converted by Jason Spice left McCall's side trailing 17-16 as the final whistle loomed, but Humphreys was not to be denied and his drop goal bounced off both posts before going over and sending the silverware back to Ulster.
Greatest XV:
1. Tom Court
Solid at set-piece and over the ball, explosive ball-carrier Tom Court made over 150 appearances for Ulster, won 32 caps for Ireland and despite departing for London Irish in 2014, he left behind many fond memories with the province.
2. Rory Best ©
A born leader, Best has captained his country and province to great success, winning 94 international caps and making 181 Ulster appearances at the time of writing. Sharp arrows and somehow always scores on the big occasion.
3. John Afoa
The 36-times All Black gave up his international ambitions in 2011 at 28, just as most front-rowers enter their prime and New Zealand's loss was Ulster's gain - the dynamite prop has run them in from 30 metres, while never taking a backward step at scrum-time.
4. Johann Muller
The big South African became a real fan favourite in his time at the Kingspan stadium - he reached two successive European quarter-finals, a Celtic League final and a European final.
5. Gary Longwell
Gary Longwell made his Ulster debut at 19 in 1991, long before the Guinness PRO12 began its life, but he won 152 provincial caps, played in the 1999 European Cup winning side and made an impact in the Celtic League's early years.
6. Stephen Ferris
A shame for both Ireland and Ulster that Stephen Ferris had to retire at 27 - but what a bundle of power he was during his century of Ulster appearances. He looked set to start for the Lions in 2009 before injury struck and made an impact on each of his 35 Ireland caps.
7. Chris Henry
Approaching 150 Ulster appearances, it is a testament to Chris Henry that he has managed to return to top-flight rugby after suffering a 'mini-stroke' in South Africa in 2014. He has been an ever-present with Ulster since signing a development contract in 2006 and played in the 2012 European final.
8. Roger Wilson
Two-hundred appearances and counting for Roger Wilson and with 23 appearances coming this season, he has dedicated the vast majority of his 14-year career to Ulster and is one of the most durable players around, consistently playing over 20 games a season.
9. Ruan Pienaar
Springbok great Ruan Pienaar has racked up 777 points in 115 games for Ulster and was arguably the world's best scrum-half as his metronomic boot guided the Irishmen to a European final.
10. David Humphreys
A Celtic League-winner in 2006, a European Cup winner in 1999, David Humphreys is an Ulster great. Incredibly influential in both sides, he also pulled the strings for Ireland for a decade and 72 caps.
11. Andrew Trimble
A tremendous athlete, Andrew Trimble combines size, speed and a real appetite for work. Famed for his studious approach to the game - he has scored 67 tries in 203 appearances, as well as winning 63 caps for his country.
12. Paddy Wallace
If it was not for Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara, Paddy Wallace would have won far more than the 30 Ireland caps he did. Immensely talented, flamboyant and a fan-favourite at the Kingspan Stadium, he made almost 200 Ulster appearances, scoring 411 points. He was part of the 2006 title-winning side and started the 2012 European Cup final.
13. Kevin Maggs
The bludgeon to Wallace's rapier, Kevin Maggs was a steam-train of a centre whose hard, direct running made space for those around him. He was a key part of McCall's 2006 Celtic League title-winning outfit.
14. Tommy Bowe
Tommy Bowe was an integral part of both the 2009 and 2013 Lions sides, has won 67 Ireland caps, scoring 30 tries and in two spells at the Kingspan Stadium he has 56 tries in 136 appearances. Simply one of Ulster's best ever.
15. Jared Payne
The New-Zealand born centre or full-back has been one of Ulster's most consistent figures since joining the Irishmen in 2011 and has since become a key part of Schmidt's Ireland team.
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Guinness PRO12 Ulster News
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