Ferris won't pull any punches

Stephen Ferris has warned Australia he is eager to resume his role as Ireland’s enforcer when their packs clash on Sunday.

The opening autumn international at Croke Park will see probably the game’s two biggest hitters go head to head when Ferris collides with Wallaby number eight Wycliff Palu.

Ireland’s defence coach Les Kiss believes only Palu tackles with greater power than Ferris, but the destructive 24-year-old Ulsterman has little respect for the pecking order.

Restored to high spirits after recovering from the knee injury which cruelly cut short his Lions tour, Ferris is ready to continue the role he performed with such ferocity in the RBS 6 Nations – policing the forward exchanges.

“I’m not going to try and kill somebody in the first five minutes but if someone does run down my channel I’ll make sure I push them back,” he said.

“If there is an early tackle, big collision or a scrap it gets your blood boiling.

“I won’t be looking for it but when it happens I’ll grab it with both hands.

“It’s good to get stuck into a team straight away. Everybody knows massive games like these start and end up front. If we don’t front up it will be tough.

“As a player you’re aware when a big hit draws a roar from the crowd and it can lift your team-mates as well.

“If you make a big tackle you get a couple of slaps on the back and the adrenaline goes up.

“Teams talk about scenting blood when they’re on top but it starts with big hits, aggressive rucking or destroying a maul.”

With Palu and captain Rocky Elsom arrayed against him in Australia’s back row, there is no shortage of high-profile names for Ferris to target.

The Ulster hardman emerged from Ireland’s march to the Grand Slam as one of Europe’s outstanding forwards and is looking to enhance that reputation on Sunday.

“I played against Palu last summer and that was a great experience,” he said.

“I ended up playing seven and ended up doing a lot more tackling than I would at six. Palu is very physical and good with the ball in hand.

“I played against Rocky at Ravenhill last season and he got man of the match. He’s a top quality player.

“He did so much for Leinster last year and I have a lot of respect for him.

“But there’s nobody I’m going to fear – it will be tit for tat all the way through.”

Ferris appeared destined for a place in the Lions Test team until a training ground accident shattered his dream, robbing the tourists of their most physical operator.

“I was up and down after the Lions. I was playing well in South Africa. I felt really good, probably the best shape I’ve ever been in,” he said.

“I did so much hard work with the fitness guys at Ulster before I went out and felt in unbelievable nick.

“The injury was just unlucky. I was asked to put on a body suit to do a bit of contact work.

“It was pretty physical rucking drill and a couple of guys fell on my exposed knee, which gave in. I felt the pop.

“There were a couple of dark days but you have to get on with it.

“Ultimately last season I won a Grand Slam and was picked for a Lions tour – I would have bitten off your hand for that at the start of the season.”