RUGBY:NO DOUBT much to the delight of all associated with Ulster, and the Irish management, Stephen Ferris rejected overtures from a number of clubs in England, France, including Stade Francais, and both the Ospreys and Cardiff in Wales, to agree a two-year deal with the IRFU which will see him remain with his native province until at least 2012.
A cult hero among the Ravenhill faithful, Ferris’s re-signing is every bit as significant as the three Springboks – Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg – who Ulster acquired over the summer. The Ulster flanker yesterday confirmed that although his agent, Ulster’s former Australian centre Ryan Constable, had received soundings from an array of French, English and Welsh clubs, once negotiations began with his province and the union, they were completed within a couple of weeks.
“It’s a World Cup year and I figured I’d have a better chance of making that squad if I stayed within Ireland,” said Ferris, who intimated that one day he may well take a sabbatical abroad.
“I also want to win something with Ulster before I leave here and I think we’re definitely going in the right direction.
“The three boys that we’ve signed are world class and they bring a lot of experience to the squad which can hopefully take us on to another level,” added Ferris, who praised Ulster operations manager David Humphreys.
“In many ways, David has made it very easy to stay. He has a vision for Ulster that I’ve bought into and he recruited well and built a squad that I’m delighted to remain a part of.”
As one of only two unbeaten sides after two rounds, Ulster stand a point behind Munster and entertain Edinburgh at Ravenhill.
“We definitely want to win all our home games. Edinburgh beat us at home 15-13 last season and we’re looking to do a job on them this year, but they’re a bit of a wounded animal at the minute having lost two from two.”
The flanker gave some typically forthright views of his team’s performance in last season’s fixture but could afford to joke yesterday: “I lost a few friends after that game.”
Following on from Tommy Bowe’s successful move to the Ospreys it’s hardly surprising the Welsh region may have been interested, nor that Michael Cheika had made enquiries, for he was a big fan of the Ulster flanker during his time with Leinster.
However, Ferris revealed his own personal history with Stade from last season – when the Parisian pair of scrumhalf Julien Dupuy and prop David Attoub received lengthy suspensions for gouging Ferris – ruled that out.
“From a personal thing, with all that went on last year, it didn’t really seem of any real interest to me, if you know what I mean.”
The more personalised game management within the IRFU’s player welfare programme was also a consideration.
“People say it must be very frustrating not playing every week but people don’t realise what a long season it is, especially in the international season if you’re playing for Ireland and planning ahead to the World Cup.”
Ferris has been inching his way back with 40- and 60-minute run-outs against Leeds in pre-season and the Ospreys on the league’s opening night, and having been rested from Ulster’s excursion to Italy for the game against Aironi, he should feature against Edinburgh.
“I felt really fresh and got on the scoresheet early on (against the Ospreys) and hopefully it’s a sign of things to come. I’m feeling really good – I got a good bit of fitness and weights done last week – coming into this game this weekend.
“I think I’m definitely a lot fitter having a 10-week pre-season under my belt and maybe missing the summer tour. It was disappointing to miss out on playing for your country but it might do me well in the long run over the next couple of years.”
