Ferris keen to keep ball rolling in Thomond test
Leinster's Luke Fitzgerald and Ulster's Stephen Ferris at yesterday's launch of Kinetica Sports Nutrition Range at Irishtown Stadium, Dublin.
Thursday October 29 2009
WITH Leinster scalped less then a week ago and Munster next on the cards, Ulster are out to upset the status quo.
In recent years, the Dublin and Limerick-based provinces have been the power brokers in Irish rugby but something is stirring in Belfast. The installation of one of their own -- Brian McLaughlin -- as head coach combined with David Humphreys' role upstairs has brought out the best in an Ulster team who are playing with a verve not seen in those parts for some time now.
The rise of Stephen Ferris has mirrored that of his province. An injury to Denis Leamy gave the flanker his chance in last year's autumn series and by the time Ian McGeechan named his Lions squad in April of this year, he was a virtual certainty for the number six Test shirt before injury wrecked his tour.
Similarly, Ulster have turned themselves from also-rans to table-toppers. After six Magners league games this season they already have four wins under their belt, just three short of their total from last year.
"It's good now," Ferris agreed. "There's a lot of confidence up north. Everybody's running about with smiles on their faces and I think that's very important. (There's) new coaching staff in but you can't take anything away from the players, they've worked really hard in the off-season. Things are starting to click for us and hopefully we'll keep the ball rolling for this weekend."
With Munster struggling for the form that saw them dominate for most of this decade, Ulster head to Thomond Park looking for their fourth successive Magners League win over the southern province as well as back-to-back victories at the Limerick venue.
"I don't think it's ever a great time to play Munster," Ferris said. "Every time we've played them it's been a fight, it really is tough work. They're a tremendous outfit. They haven't won two Heineken Cups in the last few years for no reason.
"They're full of world-class players and they had a top-class signing in the summer (in Jean de Villiers). They'll be a tough team to beat, especially at home, but we did it last year so we'll just have to do it again this year."
Forwards coach Jeremy Davidson has made no secret of his desire to restore Ravenhill to the 'fortress' status it once enjoyed. In a bid to restore pride in the jersey, the foreign brigade at the province were given a crash course in the history of the club and the benefits are tangible as they have won four of their five home games this season.
"It's very important, the history behind Ulster. Some of the foreign players maybe didn't understand what Ulster was all about, what the Red Hand meant, what everything meant all those years ago. There was a chat about everything like that."
Out-half Ian Humphreys has earned widespread praise for his performances of late and while he isn't part of the 39-man strong Ireland squad for the autumn internationals, Ferris insists he can force his way into the reckoning if his current form continues.
"Ian has been going well for us. I criticised him a bit early on in the season with missing kicks and stuff like that. I gave him a good kick up the backside and he's been out practising like a mad man," he joked. "Fair play to the guy, he's stepped up to the mark and he might see himself in the next squad at some stage.
"He's been running the game well for us at Ulster. It's great to have someone like that. He's starting to remind me a bit of his older brother (David). His game management has been a lot better. He's pinning teams back in the corners and when the opportunities come to kick three points, he's doing it. For a pack it's great to see that."
- Donnchadh Boyle
Irish Independent
