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
You scored out of !
Full Fez steam ahead
When you hit your straps there's no stopping you.
You scored out of !
Red Fez Redemption
A fine performance, but you were just shy of the requisite levels of fierce Fez-like intensity.
You scored out of !
Glass half Fez
A wobble here and there, but sure didn't we enjoy the journey.
You scored out of !
Fez in the water
A bit like Ferris in 2013, you just never got going.
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Great read.
Fair play Curtis, always a great player, a great ambassador and very articulate.
Great article
Great read, didn’t realise how though his childhood was with his mother’s passing so young. Great determination to bring up his siblings and make an impact across the water.
An inspiring story, hopefully he gets a chance to coach in England in the future
Great read. He makes a good point about number of BAME managers versus number of BAME players… The former should be much higher.
Interesting guy,i hope his coaching career brings success.
I remember Curtis when he worked in a newsagents in Talbot street Dublin 1
Very nice guy
Great article and wishing Curtis the best of luck going forward
A great guy and a very enjoyable read. Best of luck Curtis!
Great read.
Great article. Let’s not shy away from our shortcomings as a country, no one should be victim to this sort of abuse. Welcome the diverse next generation of Ireland
A Boro legend
Curtis is a legend. Racism is a cancer destroying society.
Who gives a fuvk if you slate brown white back who cares your Irish x
@BriP75: stupid comment. Evidently some people cared enough about his skin colour to racially abuse the man growing up. That sort of ignorant attitude is the reason why racism still exists in society. Educate yourself…