The extraordinary lobby of the palace is centered on a marble fountain supported by cherubs, while the sky-blue walls are frescoed with cotton-ball clouds, birds, garlands and idealized rural scenes.
The Welsh side were ultimately thwarted by Ulster bravery and no little cunning - with the ball often ripped from the attacker's grasp - and a swarm of tacklers when the ball did reach the backs.
With his first-ball he had Davies caught by Luke Sutton and with his second he repeated the trick to new man Steve Harmison, picking up his fifth wicket in capping a remarkable win.