Ulster getting Ferris up to speed for Sarries clash

Stephen Ferris will start his second successive game when Ulster take on the Cardiff Blues on the Arms Park 4G pitch tomorrow.

Irish stars Chris Henry, Andrew Trimble and Dan Tuohy also start, but hooker Rory Best is again rested, to give him more time for bruised ribs to heal properly.

The Ulster management thought long and hard before deciding that Ferris needed that extra game time before the massive European Cup clash with Saracens the following week. With an artificial surface likely to test joints more than grass, Ulster were a little apprehensive in playing Ferris in the Pro12 clash.

However, with the Ireland flanker coming through two short bursts, one insider said that they felt it prudent in getting Ferris up to speed before the big Euro date.

Ulster, though, have decided not to risk Best, who damaged his ribs during the Six Nations clash against Italy.

Chris Henry, meanwhile, says that the one word that will define Ulster’s season is discipline.

“Obviously you have to have confidence, but the one thing I have learned being involved with Ireland is discipline, and discipline in all aspects of the game. Discipline over decisions, decisions in all parts of the pitch. It’s all about keeping the standards high in training and in games. We are in a great position in both tournaments, and the discipline in tandem with confidence and a little bit of luck, could make it a very exciting end of season.”