Ferris: We won’t give Stade an easy ride

STEPHEN FERRIS may have a chronic right ankle problem, but he has deemed himself fit and well to lead the charge against Stade Francais at Ravenhill this afternoon.

With Springbok prop BJ Botha (knee) and Fijian winger Timoci Nagusa (shoulder) joining skipper Paddy Wallace (ankle) on the sidelines, the appearance of Ferris in the back-row is a boon for Ulster.

Ferris remembers all too well how Ulster succumbed to the Pool 4 leaders last year as the Parisians strolled to an easy 26-10 win.

“We let them off with blue murder last year,” said Ferris, who will have the fit-again David Pollock and stand-in skipper Chris Henry alongside him in the back-row.

“We didn’t do anything wrong last season, but we still found ourselves 15 points behind after 20 minutes. They just go through the phases and keep the scoreboard ticking along. That’s something they are very good at.

“This time we are going to let me know that they are in a game. There will be no easy ride for them. We have to get it into their heads that we are no easy turn. There is a lot of history in the this game. Stade in past do not like Ravenhill having lost three times before.

“There’s no doubt that all the lads believe that we can beat Stade. We have to take on their big pack and be very, very physical. They have a good set-piece and if we can interrupt that pattern and cause them a few problems it will make our lives a lot easier in the end.

“They have an excellent back-row and a superb kicking game, but we have good players too who won’t be undermined by star names.”

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made a number of changes for the game that Ulster must win to have any change for making the knock-out stages.

Declan Fitzpatrick retains his place at tight-head in place of Botha with Nigel Brady’s throwing getting the nod over Andy Kyriacou at hooker.

McLaughlin’s preference for Pollock ahead of Willie Faloon is down to the former’s ability on the ground and his presentation at breakdown.

Andrew Trimble comes on to the wing in place of Nagusa with Simon Danielli on the left and Ian Whitten returning in place of Wallace in midfield.

Dan Tuohy and Ed O’Donoghue are the second-row pairing with Ryan Caldwell on the bench.

Ferris, meanwhile, just wants to get on the field again after his run of injuries.

“I had an operation on my ankle two years ago to get a couple of pieces of bone removed and it has been a chronic problem since,” he said.

“The last four games I have gone over on it. It’s like a sprain and I keep tweaking the ligaments. But at present, it is feeling pretty good. A win today would help!”

McLaughlin said: “It is good to have Stephen back as we know how good they are and that they have great ambitions for the season. But we have the same ambitions. We have to out-play them by being accurate and smart, and taking the home advantage. We have to be fearless.”