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It is now two years since Mujati and company suffered Heineken Cup heartbreak as they surrendered a 22-6 half-time lead against Leinster, ultimately going down 33-22 as dreams of a first European Cup triumphed disappeared in the blink of an eye.
That defeat took some getting over but Mujati and his Northampton Saints team mates will have a chance for redemption in front of a sell-out crowd at Twickenham on Saturday after stunning Saracens at Allianz Park to set up a final with local rivals Leicester Tigers.
Saints – much like they were in Cardiff two years ago – will be the underdogs against their east Midlands rivals but Mujati is adamant the experience of 2011, coupled with a knowledge of playing Leicester can give Saints the edge this weekend.
“I think the Heineken final was an experience. It’s something you learn from. It takes time to forget. Inevitably you learn from this experience. No final is won at half-time,” said Mujati, who will play his final game for the club before leaving for Racing Metro.
“It will be difficult for us. We have done well to give ourselves a chance and we are going to have to be even better to be in with a chance against Leicester
“It’s been a tough old season. We know we’ve had a few good performances and we know we’ve had a few bad performances. But we are still in the fight so we will push on and see where we can get to.
“Leicester are similar to us in a lot of ways. We try to be physical and strong up front and that’s what they are all about so we’ll just see who the last man standing is really. It’s going to be a big old ball.”
Tighthead Mujati has become a cult figure at Franklin’s Gardens since joining the club in 2009.
And while he admits it will be an emotional time when the full-time whistle blows on Saturday, he is adamant he owes it to the fans not to think about anything other than ending his time in Northampton with some silverware.
“You can’t avoid the emotion, but I will do my best to focus on the game along with everyone else. I will just give it my best shot,” he added.
“You can’t fight the emotion, it’s going to be emotional. But we’ve just got to focus on the game and give it our best effort.
“I know it’s moving to France and learning a new language but I haven’t really looked that far ahead. I’ve been here four years and I have lost a lot of semis and I know that this kind of opportunity does not come often so I think I would be letting everyone else down if I was looking ahead. I think we just need to focus on the now and give it our best.
“I think it will be the highlight of my time here if we win. If you look at this season, if you had said two weeks ago we would be in this position having this conversation, I would not have believed you.
“In a season like that when you win something when no one believed you could makes it all the more special. So it would be cool to do something like that.
“It will probably hit me after the game that I am leaving but for now its all about Twickenham.”
The Aviva Premiership Rugby Final 2013 is sold out. The game is exclusively live on ESPN at 4pm on Saturday.
Mujati’s teammate, Tom Wood, beaten to a Lions place by fit-again Tom Croft, will face the man who shattered his dream when Northampton take on Leicester on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Saints flanker has endured a bittersweet fortnight.
Two weeks ago he was left out of Warren Gatland’s 37-man Lions squad but was then appointed England captain for next month’s Argentina tour before producing an outstanding display in his side’s shock semi-final demolition of Saracens.
Now Wood, who last November was odds-on favourite for the Lions tour after his man-of-the match display against the All Blacks, has a point to prove when he clashes with Croft at Twickenham.
‘Tom’s a good player and a good mate with unquestionable athletic ability,’ said Wood. ‘I’m really pleased he’s been able to overcome such a worrying injury and get back to his best. But there’ll be no love lost on the field.
‘You try to put one on the opposite number and Saturday will be no different. Tom’s a tough competitor and athletic in the loose, so we’ve got to work hard not to give him that freedom he loves. We want him at the bottom of the rucks doing the hard yards where he’s not so comfortable.
‘We want him mauling and brawling in the tight
‘A few of us at Saints feel we’ve got a point to prove because we’ve missed out in the past. I’ve missed out through injury, the team have fallen at the semi-finals. I’ve missed out on Lions selection. I can always find some pent-up anger and frustration.’
With Lions injuries certain, it could yet be Wood’s time.
He added: ‘The Lions omission is tough to take, but I have to roll with it. I’ve got an opportunity to captain England off the back of it so it could yet all work out.
‘It’s tough to take but I wish the Lions the best of luck. I don’t wish it on anybody, but if someone does get injured then I’ll be ready.’- www.premiershiprugby.com/mailonline
Online Reporter