Ferris retires from rugby

Ulster and Ireland back-row forward Stephen Ferris has retired from professional rugby.

The 28-year-old was capped 35 times by his country and starred in Ireland’s Grand Slam success in 2009 starting in all five games.

He played 106 times for his province and was selected for the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

He spent 16 months on the sidelines after an ankle injury picked up against Edinburgh in a RaboDirect PRO12 game in November 2012 and only returned to action this season.

Speaking to the Ulster Rugby website he said he was proud to play for the province:

“I have shared a pitch with so many talented players over the past nine years and I want to thank my team-mates at Ulster and Ireland for the support that they have given me.

“I also want to thank the IRFU as well as the strength and conditioning coaches and medical team at Ulster Rugby, for all their hard work, patience and backing over the past year and a half.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family – my mum Linda and my dad Robert who helped me on the journey from playing rugby as a young kid at Portadown to lining out for the British and Irish Lions. My girlfriend Laura has been and remains a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.

“I have had a great career, met many wonderful people and I hang up the boots with no regrets,” said Ferris.