Stephen Ferris

Ruck Inspector

What's happening with him? Is he off to Japan or not?

mfceiling

No word on it yet.

Hagz

This was interesting to read. It has me thinking he'll stay.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/my-heart-is-with-ulster-says-stephen-ferris-29239747.html

awec

A fully fit Ferris back for Ulster would be immense. Ferris, Henderson and Williams in the same team? Yes please.

Zzippy

Was talking to a couple of Ulster fans at the HEC final who seemed to know a lot of the squad, they certainly had enough photos of themselves with them. They were definitely of the opinion that the Japan talk was just angling for a new contract, and that he would sign on again...

Larbre34

You'd have to hope so. Japan would be a waste of his talent at his age. If he is spared injury for any stint he would be immense. Another guy perhaps who really fancies an Ireland squad under Schmidt

Stan27

When is he back playing?

CatFromHue

It's not really known yet.

He is back training on the pitch with Ulster but doing no contact work I believe

bilston

Stan27 wrote: »

When is he back playing?

Someone on UAFC suggested he may feature against the Scarlets on the 14th March but then to be honest he may have been taking the p155 so who knows, but I suspect it will be sooner rather than later, or at least I hope it will be anyway.

Stan27

bilston wrote: »

Someone on UAFC suggested he may feature against the Scarlets on the 14th March but then to be honest he may have been taking the p155 so who knows, but I suspect it will be sooner rather than later, or at least I hope it will be anyway.

Ye will be very interesting with the ireland back row with him and sob fit!!

bilston

Stan27 wrote: »

Ye will be very interesting with the ireland back row with him and sob fit!!

Well if he returns to his best yes but first thing is for him to get through a game of any level with his ankle intact.

CatFromHue

I think he's going to be on the Off the Ball rugby road show this week.

I can't remember anymore of the details though!

clsmooth

So it was an ankle problem as opposed to the knee??

awec

clsmooth wrote: »

So it was an ankle problem as opposed to the knee??

This time yes.

FellasFellas

He was meant to play for Dungannon against Trinity a few weeks back but didnt in the end, he'll be back before the end of the season definitely.

[Jackass]

He'd have to fight pretty hard for his place back in the Irish team the way O'Mahony is playing and having O'Brien and Heaslip in there too. Up and coming players like Ruddock, O'Donnell and Jordi Murphy would all be breathing down his neck too.

It's sad to say, but I don't know if he has much rugby left in him even if he does get back. I would say the best way to manage him would be keep him out for as much rehab as possible this season and have a heavily managed game schedule next season to try and get him off the pitch in one piece each time (probably no two games in a row) and get him match fit and his form back and then unleash him in the world cup, hell for leather.

That may be his final swansong.

It's gut wrenching because he's one of the best 6's in the world when fit.

Prawo_Jazdy

His power was something we really missed against england especially with SOB out, will be great to see him playing again in the future but it just feels like it's only a matter of time till he'll be out again. have to feel bad for him, the chap always gives 100% when playing

remwhite

If he gets back fit and playing to his potential he'll be a dead cert to start for Ireland. Unfortunately that may never happen but let's not forget how crocked O'Connell was a short while ago when the medics were more concerned about his well-being than if he'd play again. If we could wrap him in cotton wool until the world cup it'd be great.

He is, in my opinion alone, the best Irish player since O'Driscoll. He does everything superbly, and with such ferocity! Carries, tackles, offloads, counter rucks, scoring tries from close and from far out, tidy line out option, and what always struck me was his work rate, doing all the ugly stuff like mauling and rucking. Even in crappy Rabo matches his hunger for every inch always stood out for me.

If he makes it back, and that's a giant "if", the Irish back row should be him, O'Brien and Heaslip. Hard to imagine dropping O'Mahony given recent performances but that's how good I think Ferris is.

ScissorPaperRock

remwhite wrote: »

If he gets back fit and playing to his potential he'll be a dead cert to start for Ireland. Unfortunately that may never happen but let's not forget how crocked O'Connell was a short while ago when the medics were more concerned about his well-being than if he'd play again. If we could wrap him in cotton wool until the world cup it'd be great.

He is, in my opinion alone, the best Irish player since O'Driscoll. He does everything superbly, and with such ferocity! Carries, tackles, offloads, counter rucks, scoring tries from close and from far out, tidy line out option, and what always struck me was his work rate, doing all the ugly stuff like mauling and rucking. Even in crappy Rabo matches his hunger for every inch always stood out for me.

If he makes it back, and that's a giant "if", the Irish back row should be him, O'Brien and Heaslip. Hard to imagine dropping O'Mahony given recent performances but that's how good I think Ferris is.

I'd love to see him back again, but I don't know about being a dead cert. Like the wings, the back row is somewhere where we have a lot of depth. Admittedly we are missing a bit of ball carrying ability at the moment, and that is something he'd be perfect for.

But with all of POM, Heaslip, Henry, SOB and Ferris fit there would be some stiff competition, not to mention Ruddock and Jordi on their way up.

Edit: Tommy O'Donnell too, of course!

former legend

[Jackass] wrote: »

It's sad to say, but I don't know if he has much rugby left in him even if he does get back. I would say the best way to manage him would be keep him out for as much rehab as possible this season and have a heavily managed game schedule next season to try and get him off the pitch in one piece each time (probably no two games in a row) and get him match fit and his form back and then unleash him in the world cup, hell for leather.

But that won't be enough to get him into the World Cup squad. O'Mahony is too good to drop unless his replacement has shown himself to be in fantastic form, and I'd wager Ruddock won't be far behind come September 2015, so wrapping Ferris in cotton wool could actually be counter-productive as it won't let the coaches get a clear picture of what he can do.

LeBash

If he does get back schmidt has a fantastic headache picking the back row.

stephen_n

I honestly think people forget just how good Ferris is, it may well be a big leap, that he will get his best form back and stay injury free but as good as POM has been, he is still no where near Ferris at his best.

Ardillaun

That moment when he tucked Genia under his arm and went for a run is one of my favourites ever.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Hasn't played the game in 2 years. He was world class but even two years ago he was rarely consistently fit

Doubt he'll ever play consistent rugby again and there's no guarantee he will be the force he once was

on the river

Hopfully ferris will come back a exceptional player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBPsBUAQO2k

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Knew it would be a tribute video before I even looked at the post

Neil3030

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Hasn't played the game in 2 years. He was world class but even two years ago he was rarely consistently fit

Doubt he'll ever play consistent rugby again and there's no guarantee he will be the force he once was

But just think of the rage built up inside of him, from two years of not smashing other primates!

on the river

Neil3030 wrote: »

But just think of the rage built up inside of him, from two years of not smashing other primates!

ya ferris is very aggressive on the pitch . i heard he redirected his aggression

into art and painting

who_me

stephen_n wrote: »

I honestly think people forget just how good Ferris is, it may well be a big leap, that he will get his best form back and stay injury free but as good as POM has been, he is still no where near Ferris at his best.

Hard to compare them given they fulfil so different a role. Ferris is a physical freak who can just smash people in the tackle, and smash through tackles as a ballcarrier. POM provides his worth at the breakdown, and increasingly at the lineout (took more lineouts than POC & Toner combined vs England).

I guess it comes down to a "horses for courses" selection, picking dependent on where you think the need is.

awec

bilston wrote: »

Someone on UAFC suggested he may feature against the Scarlets on the 14th March but then to be honest he may have been taking the p155 so who knows, but I suspect it will be sooner rather than later, or at least I hope it will be anyway.

Just saw this.

Someone on UAFC claimed they had been speaking to the man himself and he is hopeful of getting a few games in before the Saracens game.

How true that is remains to be seen, but we only have 3 Rabo games before Saracens.

arodabomb

on the river wrote: »

Hopfully ferris will come back a exceptional player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBPsBUAQO2k

That video is just ridiculous. It's easy to forget just how good he was. Hopefully he can come back to something resembling that. He is just immensely powerful.

Oh to hear the commentator say "And Ferris runs through half the team, pops to O'Brien who runs through the other half" It would look like something out of a bad zombie/apocalypse movie, bodies strewn everywhere.

stephen_n

who_me wrote: »

Hard to compare them given they fulfil so different a role. Ferris is a physical freak who can just smash people in the tackle, and smash through tackles as a ballcarrier. POM provides his worth at the breakdown, and increasingly at the lineout (took more lineouts than POC & Toner combined vs England).

I guess it comes down to a "horses for courses" selection, picking dependent on where you think the need is.

Ferris was pretty much as effective as POM at the breakdown, has a massive tackle count, is a great ball carrier and also a useful lineout option. I'm not knocking POM in any way but he still has a long way to go, to be as good as Ferris was at his best.

who_me

stephen_n wrote: »

Ferris was pretty much as effective as POM at the breakdown, has a massive tackle count, is a great ball carrier and also a useful lineout option. I'm not knocking POM in any way but he still has a long way to go, to be as good as Ferris was at his best.

I don't remember Ferris' work as a lineout option much, but I have trouble believing he was as easy to lift as POM! I don't think POM will ever match Ferris' physicality - unless he bulks up massively over the next pre-season or two.

Neil3030

who_me wrote: »

I don't remember Ferris' work as a lineout option much, but I have trouble believing he was as easy to lift as POM! I don't think POM will ever match Ferris' physicality - unless he bulks up massively over the next pre-season or two.

Another 5 or so kg should do it.

Ferris is 116kg at 1.93m, or a BMI of 31.

To hit that BMI, POM would need to be 113kg at his height (1.91m), and he's 108kg now.

A noob could easily pack that on in less than a year but it'll be far tougher for POM, who is probably already operating pretty close to his natural size limit.

19543261

yeah, "creatine" (+additives)

Sangre

Neil3030 wrote: »

Another 5 or so kg should do it.

Ferris is 116kg at 1.93m, or a BMI of 31.

To hit that BMI, POM would need to be 113kg at his height (1.91m), and he's 108kg now.

A noob could easily pack that on in less than a year but it'll be far tougher for POM, who is probably already operating pretty close to his natural size limit.

I'd say he is nowhere near his 'natural' size limit. The problem isn't gaining size per se. Its finding the time to gain that size while maintaining fitness and mobility. Over the next three years I'll say he'll pack on a a kg or two of lean muscle each summer.

jacothelad

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Hasn't played the game in 2 years. He was world class but even two years ago he was rarely consistently fit

Doubt he'll ever play consistent rugby again and there's no guarantee he will be the force he once was

He last played in Nov. 2012. 16 months out - not 24. Still bad but here's hoping.

bilston

awec wrote: »

Just saw this.

Someone on UAFC claimed they had been speaking to the man himself and he is hopeful of getting a few games in before the Saracens game.

How true that is remains to be seen, but we only have 3 Rabo games before Saracens.

Hopefully we will find out soon enough. He would be a handy weapon off the bench against the Puppy Pack.

Ardillaun

How long is the average career at provincial level? It must be getting shorter with the punishment these guys are taking? I'd be very surprised to see Ferris back for Ireland, sad to say.

Neil3030

Sangre wrote: »

I'd say he is nowhere near his 'natural' size limit. The problem isn't gaining size per se. Its finding the time to gain that size while maintaining fitness and mobility. Over the next three years I'll say he'll pack on a a kg or two of lean muscle each summer.

Well if you know the man personally, ask him for his wrist and ankle sizes and slot them in here.

I'd take a guess at 8 inch wrists, 10 inch ankles and around 10% bodyfat.

That equates to 106-110kg natural limit.

clsmooth

Neil3030 wrote: »

Another 5 or so kg should do it.

Ferris is 116kg at 1.93m, or a BMI of 31.

To hit that BMI, POM would need to be 113kg at his height (1.91m), and he's 108kg now.

A noob could easily pack that on in less than a year but it'll be far tougher for POM, who is probably already operating pretty close to his natural size limit.

Its not just about size, but about pure power which Ferris possesses. POM will never be as powerful, that's not his game, but he has plenty of other things going for him. What's Henderson's stats? Another powerful animal

rugbyU

Henderson is around nearly 6'7 and 116kg. Pure raw power, fantastic athlete.

remwhite

If it was as simple as lifting weights and being stronger then everyone would be the same strength. Some people are born with greater strength and explosiveness than others. Just look at David Wallace or Sean O'Brien. Also, balance and technique in contact go a long way towards making you a good attacker/defender. The gym might work at AIL level but not at top international level. And even at AIL level it only goes so far.

Gordon D'Arcy is another great example of natural strength.

Ferris is a freak and Peter O'Mahony can't train himself to be the type of player he is. Same way Craig Gilroy couldn't become Tommy Bowe.

Sangre

Neil3030 wrote: »

Well if you know the man personally, ask him for his wrist and ankle sizes and slot them in here.

I'd take a guess at 8 inch wrists, 10 inch ankles and around 10% bodyfat.

That equates to 106-110kg natural limit.

That calculator is one man's educated guess, hardly conclusive of anything. Also, while I haven't seen the man topless I'd be very surprised if he was 10% bodyfat.

I'd agree with you that he will probably level out at around 110 (maybe 112kg). He is only 24, very young in development terms.

The point I'm trying to make though is if he can get to that weight as backrow player. If he was trying to do nothing but gain weight, and ignore fitness, you would find his 'natural' limit would be quite a bit higher than his optimum rugby weight.

thecomedian

I would love to see Ferris back playing at his best.
He would gave being a superstar for yes if he hadn't so many injuries problems.
When he first came on the scene I remember reading how fast he was over 100 metres it was, something crazy for a big man.
POM is a different type of player, he will never have that power that Ferris has.

A 100% Ferris and SOB in the backrow would be a dream. I'll also look forward to seeing Henderson in the Irish team soon.

Taco Corp

on the river wrote: »

Hopfully ferris will come back a exceptional player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBPsBUAQO2k

I couldn't help but notice how often someone ends up falling on his ankles in that clip

19543261

former legend wrote: »

Just exposing their own ignorance.

Tongue in cheek, sir.

Prawo_Jazdy

It was actually comical how easy he'd push people out of the way sometimes

danthefan

Prawo_Jazdy wrote: »

It was actually comical how easy he'd push people out of the way sometimes

We are missing that so badly at the moment.

damianmcr

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/stephen-ferris-poised-to-make-return-to-playing-for-ulster-1-5914512

ScissorPaperRock

damianmcr wrote: »

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/stephen-ferris-poised-to-make-return-to-playing-for-ulster-1-5914512

Great news!