Ferris: We can become a Euro heavyweight

Beating Leinster this Saturday and claiming European club rugby’s greatest prize can start a decade of dominance for Ulster Rugby, believes their back-row talisman Stephen Ferris.

Ulster, the 1999 winners, take on defending champions Leinster at Twickenham this weekend in the Heineken Cup’s first all-Irish final and although the Ulster men are firm underdogs against Joe Schmidt’s all-conquering outfit, Ferris believes an upset can send a signal to the rest of Europe about his side’s intentions to become continental heavyweights.

“We don’t mind Leinster having the favourites’ tag,” Ferris told the Irish Examiner. “They’ve been the top side in Europe for the past number of years and they’re a great side but Ulster have come a long way and we believe we’re getting somewhere near where Leinster are.