Ferris happy to be part of the fray

STEPHEN FERRIS is looking forward to some international game time at Ravenhill for the first time on Friday night.

Ulster back rower Ferris has been named in the replacements for the final warm-up game before the World Cup when Italy come to play in Belfast.

It will be the first official Irish international visit to Ravenhill in 53 years, and Ferris’ first experience of playing at the venue in colours other than the white of Ulster.

Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan wants to give Ferris another opportunity to gain experience and it might be that he comes in as an open-side flanker for some part of the match.

It will be his fifth cap and Ferris is happy to be in the squad, knowing quality players such as Jamie Heaslip and Keith Gleeson failed to make the cut for the tournament.

He noted: “Competition for back-row places in the Irish squad is, arguably, more intense than in any other country. When I looked at the squad and took stock of the quality players who failed to make it, I felt I hit the jackpot.

“I knew I had been training well and felt I was in with a very good chance. At the same time, I was waiting for the call to tell me I hadn’t made it, so it was a huge relief to know I was in.”

Ferris will be happy to operate as a seven, but sees his ideal position as either six or eight. He would prefer more than anything to be middle of the back. He said: “I played schools, youths, under-10s and 21s at eight the whole time, but I had to change once I came into the Ulster set-up.” !

That meant a move to six and to seven on occasions when he interchanged with Neil Best. Once he’s in a team, he’s happy but he does admit: “I’d still like to get a run at eight again – if it wasn’t for the presence of Denis (Leamy) I might have a chance!”

Ferris is full of admiration for those competing with him for a place in the side. “That’s the thing about this squad; everyone is competitive but equally helpful. Every single guy on the squad just wants the team to succeed and bring some glory to Irish rugby. That’s amazing.”

Even a youngster like Ferris believes the dream of winning is not beyond this Irish squad. “Everyone knows the standards Eddie is looking for and if everyone keeps to that standard there is no reason why we couldn’t actually go out and win this,” he said. “We have a great bunch of players and we have more than just one leader. We have Brian (O’Driscoll) as captain and Paul (O’Connell) as vice captain and pack leader. We have the best coach I’ve ever worked with and the back room staff are just so professional. Everyone sticks by one another 100% and that is a huge part of the battle.”

The Dungannon-based player is noted for the intensity of his training regime but admits to taking example from others.

“I never did weights until I joined the Ulster Academy when I did them for almost a year solid. It helped me put on a lot of bulk. I like the gym, and I like professional rugby. I like to be able to match up to opponents, to dominate them if possible and the way to do that is to work out and make myself stronger.

“When you’re strong, you’re confident that you can get the better of the physical battle, and rugby has always been an intense physical battle. It’s a good feeling.”

Italy? His views are clear. “They will be physical; they’ll try to upset us, so we really will have to be patient and stick to our game plan. Ireland have shown in the last couple of times they’re capable of weathering an obvious storm and then proving they can pull away in the final quarter. Italy are a good side that will pose a lot of problems. We just have to box clever,” he said.