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Quiz: What do you remember about Stephen Ferris' impactful career?

His career was too short, but he left an imprint all across Irish rugby.

A GRAND SLAM winner, a veteran of two World Cups, a Lion and the key man in helping Ulster force their way to the Heineken Cup final in 2012. Stephen Ferris had achieved enough to err on the bright side when he hung up his boots at the age of just 28.

A punishing run of ankle and knee injuries meant that nobody got to see as much of Ferris as we would have liked, but it’s hard to say we didn’t see the best of him. The flanker made an immense impact on the game in his 35 Tests and 106 outings for Ulster. Polish up your trivia on the Maghaberry monster or plough right ahead…

Against which of these sides did Ferris make his professional rugby debut in 2005?
Edinburgh Gunners
Aironi

Border Reivers
Celtic Warriors
Ferris made his international debut in the last match at the old Lansdowne Road. Who were the opposition?
South Africa
Samoa

Pacific Islands
Canada
Ferris did not start on the blindside for Ireland until his sixth cap. In what position did he make his full debut?
Lock
Openside

Number 8
Inside centre
As a 16-year-old, Ferris once won an all-island schools title in what individual sport?
Boxing
Javelin

100 metres
Golf
Can you name the France international prop who was given a 70-week ban for eye-gouging Ferris in a 2009 Heineken Cup clash?
Thomas Domingo
Wlliam Servat

Nicolas Mas
David Attoub
The flanker's only two international tries came in the space of eight days at Croke Park in 2010. Who was the team he claimed the first against?
New Zealand
South Africa

Argentina
Australia
He scored for the Lions too, but injury cut short his 2009 tour after how many appearances?
1
2

3
4
In 2013, Ferris was due to leave Ulster for Japan after a lucrative offer from what club?
Coca Cola Red Sparks
Mitsubishi Dynobars

Honda 50s
Sanyo Wild Knights
Ferris was a gifted athlete, blighted by injury before being forced to retire at 28. Who was the final team he faced as a player?
Leicester Tigers
Clermont Auvergne

Saracens
Stade Francais
No reflection on Ferris' body of work is complete without a look at his iconic rag-dolling of Will Genia in 2011. Can you name the Ireland player right on his shoulder throughout the forward drive?
Sean O'Brien
Paul O'Connell

Jamie Heaslip
Eoin Reddan
Answer all the questions to see your result!
You scored out of !
Full Fez steam ahead
When you hit your straps there's no stopping you.
Share your result:
You scored out of !
Red Fez Redemption
A fine performance, but you were just shy of the requisite levels of fierce Fez-like intensity.
Share your result:
You scored out of !
Glass half Fez
A wobble here and there, but sure didn't we enjoy the journey.
Share your result:
You scored out of !
Fez in the water
A bit like Ferris in 2013, you just never got going.
Share your result:

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11 Comments
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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:48 PM

    Dan Leavy returning soon will be huge for Leinster and Ireland. The best forward in the country when healthy and a challenger with Underhill and Curry for those 2 lions flanker positions.

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:20 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’m very excited to see him come back too and, sadly, will be hopeful that he is the same player when he gets back.

    The Leinster medical team are excellent at managing rehab, very few if any players with recurring injuries, I’m optimistic that he will be.

    Will Conners might be focused on as a 6 such is the depth at 7.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Apr 1st 2020, 12:09 PM

    @Sean Fahey: Leavy could be a highly effective 6 too. He’s not a renowned jumper in the lineout but he can do everything else, and offers serious balance to any backrow, in similar ways that SOB did in previous years. Touch wood he comes back as the same player, as you said, the Leinster medical team have a good track record. Keen to see where Leavy and Conan will fit from an Irish perspective now Doris and Deegan have got their breakthroughs aswell.

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    Mute Jamie Bent
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    Mar 30th 2020, 6:57 PM

    That drop still haunts me. Better team lost that day!

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Jamie Bent: Ulster were immense that day but every now and then you either ride your luck a little bit or run out of it completely. It’s up there with Fofanas bicep alright.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:04 PM

    @Jamie Bent: I’d dare say it still haunts stockdale too. He hasn’t been good since.

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 31st 2020, 9:34 AM

    Two things stand out to me from a Leinster POV re-watching this -

    It’s such a shame Adam Byrne has never really kicked on. Immense physical gifts but just seems to be lacking something to really cement his place. Rumours that he’s off at the end of the season too.

    Secondly, Ross Byrne really is a big game player. Might not have the athleticism of his bro or even Sexton, but he never lets Leinster down in Europe. He has had by far the better outcome from the Carbery move so far.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:42 PM

    It was a great performance for year one, of a 3 year plan. Year 2 and in play off spot in league, and Q final in Europe is nice showing, who knows where it will end, but certainly on target to be in finals and aiming for silverware in year 3.

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    Mute acallkelly
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    Mar 31st 2020, 11:54 AM

    I hope Dan Leahy will be given time to get to his own high standard, Leinster supporters will give him the space, not sure about the rest of chattering classes though !

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    Mute PScald
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    Apr 1st 2020, 5:16 PM

    @acallkelly: you’re right Leinster supporters are just superior people.. I heard theyre close to a vaccine

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