Sight of red rose enough to fire up Ferris

The bodies may be sore in the Ireland camp after three Tests in quick succession but when it comes to facing England, Stephen Ferris sees no problem with mental freshness ahead of today’s final RBS 6 Nations encounter at Twickenham (5pm).

A clash against the old foes sporting the red rose is always a prospect to get Irish juices flowing and even though a sore ankle kept the Ulster blindside out of training at Carton House on Wednesday, even Ferris’s troublesome knees were feeling fine as the big day at Twickenham approached.

“My knees are great so that doesn’t really concern me,” Ferris admitted. “We’ve a massive game this weekend and it’s been four weeks in a row now so it’s all about getting it right. You’re running on adrenaline every week but, to be honest, apart from a few bumps and bruises, everybody’s in good shape. Mentally, we’re fresh and I think that’s very important and just as important as feeling physically fresh. It is tough. Playing four internationals in a row is tough, but when you’re playing against England away from home, it’s a game you don’t need too much to get up for.”