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…
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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.
@#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.
@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.
That drop still haunts me. Better team lost that day!
@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.
@Jamie Bent: I’d dare say it still haunts stockdale too. He hasn’t been good since.
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.
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.
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 !
@acallkelly: you’re right Leinster supporters are just superior people.. I heard theyre close to a vaccine