Great news for Ireland and Ulster..and an amusing story for Ulster

Just heard that Stephen Ferris is back in full training and is looking very good indeed.
There was some concern that he would have lost some leg strength but test in the last few days have shown this is not the case. The camp are pleasantly surprised at how far on he is.

He is considered ready for selection.

The funny story regarding Ulster is that whilst the rest of the squad are doing weights Declan Fitzpatrick is sent out on his own to run. He needs to shed a few pounds round the middle and it has benn made clear this is his big chance as he is our no 1 TH for 2 months. Needless to say he is taking some serious stick from the rest of the lads.

Really is that all? I knew that already. I thought you were going to say they had cloned multiplied and modified Ferris to suit all positions. Imagine a little Ferris scrum half for example.

Really ? the decision that he would be available for selection for the first match was only made yesterday and the result of the leg strength exercises were only received at the beginning of the week.

Amusing? Really?

Yep ..at least to his fellow Ulster team mates

When is he back in court? Is it before or after the world cup?

After, and the indications are are that the charges could well be dismissed - his brother has pleaded guilty to hitting the other individual (in self defence). It will have no bearing on his availability anyway.

After the RWC and Heineken Cup rounds i believe SaM.

Good news that Ferris is already back in contention. I had thought it might have been the 3rd or 4th game before he was back. I actually feel a little bad for Scotland. Imagine SOB and Ferris in that team, both trying to outdo the other!

Wow Stephen Ferris is as strong as horse and Ulster have a fat prop! these aren't exactly revelations here!

Geoff not being funny but is it legal for you be devulging information about the court case here? ........If so Keep it coming!!

I assume they will ease him back gently - 10 mins against Scotland, then 30 in the next match , then start a game and have 50 in the next and a full game in the last pre WC match.

At least thats what I would expect.

Rodders anything I have mentioned on the court case is a matter of public record.

If in any doubt I would not post and to be honest it is not a matter of discussion in the circles I frequent. Everyone knows it is not a subject that is appropriate for loose talk.

I think what has amazed the Irish training camp is how quickly he has regained his leg strength. Apparantly most normal players would take twice as long..then again 1F isn't normal.


Remember not so long ago medical staff were questioning whether or not he could return to the game at all. Perhaps it is because I heard the depth of those concerns that I am overjoyed with what I have been told this week. Talk about Bionic man !

Right see all this tosh people are spouting about weather it's "leagle" to talk about ferris's cort case, please stop, it's getting really silly!!!! The UAFC site is a worse culprit. If ferris guilty then he is guilty, if he is innocent then I am sure his defence team will prove his case to that effect, I doubt much said on here or any forum will alter that fact!

Nice one Geoff.

Gee it would be great to see Ferris back to his best and able to continue to play top level rugby for another few seasons at least.

Are there still concerns about his career or are they happy that normal service will resume for the time being?

Rodders was merely expressing a concern that I might, because of my contacts, say something I shouldn't.

As it happens it is not a subject to which I am privy to any information not in the public domain.

BelfastDickVet: Calm your jets sir I'm just checking. I just don't feel comfortable discussing the guys court case, that's all. Like you say the courts will decide if he's innocent or guilty, I'm just interested in seeing him play rugby again.

roddersm wrote: Are there still concerns about his career or are they happy that normal service will resume for the time being?

Still big concerns about his long term viability. He will always have a weakness in his knee.
One bad injury could easily be curtains.

Whatever you have cross it for the next 4/5 years

geoff998rugby wrote:Rodders anything I have mentioned on the court case is a matter of public record.

If in any doubt I would not post and to be honest it is not a matter of discussion in the circles I frequent. Everyone knows it is not a subject that is appropriate for loose talk.

I think what has amazed the Irish training camp is how quickly he has regained his leg strength. Apparantly most normal players would take twice as long..then again 1F isn't normal.


Remember not so long ago medical staff were questioning whether or not he could return to the game at all. Perhaps it is because I heard the depth of those concerns that I am overjoyed with what I have been told this week. Talk about Bionic man !

I presume he was receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy to accelerate recovery. It's amazing what it can do for you.

That comment wasn't just directed at you Geoff and rodders, it's just an open statement, it just happens that rodders comment here triggered me to write that post which I wanted to do for a while, to be honest the guys on UAFC are sooo much worse for this! I just think it's foolish.

"you don't feel comfortable" are you serious, it's not as if he's you best mate.

No bother BelfastDickVet, like Geoff said I was just concerned that anything not in the public domain might have been said that shouldn't, not that I should have been.

Cheers Geoff I suppose we'll have to take it a game at a time with Ferris. I hope he last 4/5 seasons at least!

BelfastDickVet wrote:"you don't feel comfortable" are you serious, it's not as if he's you best mate.

No but it's a serious matter. This is a public forum remember. If a member of the jury came on here and read something that hadn't been released through the proper channels it might influence the case.

Also has it occured to you that someone who is a friend or family member of Ferris, Ferris himself, or even the accusers could read things posted here?

Look I'm not judging other people and if it's stuff that's in the public domain anyway then fair enough I just think it's a topic that needs to be approached with caution and sensitivity.

Sorry this thread has got side tracked.

Great news. Now the hard work starts. he needs to fight for his place. Hopefully no one is getting a start in the WC on reputation alone.

That story wasn't amusing.

Good news for Ireland though. More competition in the backrow!

Wow. Talk about coming down on Geoff like a tonne of bricks...

Geoff, do you think Deccie can step up this season? I thought he put in a couple of good performances last season and I'd like to see him kick on. He's a good Rab C level prop - could he be any more?

Thanks Don appreciated...sometimes I wonder whether it is worth the bother

The perception of Deccie is that he has the technique but he needs to do the hard yards in terms of improving his fitness. Until he does that we don't know if he can kick on.its possible.
...
This is his big chance as he will be 1st choice TH for 2 months.
Concerns over the number of slight injuries he gets. Most seem to think this is connected to his fitness not being where it needs to be.

Don't get me wrong he is not lazy or anything, far from it, but he does appear to need to work harder to get to the same level of fitness as most others - hence the extra training.

I was only joking Geoff,should have added the smiley. Cheers for the updates.

Your post did confuse me a bit, as a dig would seem to be out of character.....thanks for the clarification

geoff998rugby wrote:Thanks Don appreciated...sometimes I wonder whether it is worth the bother

Yes it is Geoff keep them coming!

Sorry Geoff, do you mind me asking what your contacts are??

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Sorry Geoff, do you mind me asking what your contacts are??

Pete don't you know?? Geoff is really David Humphreys!

hahaha! Noish!

on the amusing front this definitely qualifies for the poor scottish fellas

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/rugby-news/2011/06/29/is-it-a-bird-is-it-a-plane-no-it-s-scotland-rugby-team-in-new-y-front-design-kit-86908-23234305/

I work alongside someone who played with, against and trained with all Ulster forward over the age 25 or so - Stephen Ferris is in, Chris Henry is out. He remains a good friend of them all and two in particular are best buddies. As a result I occassionally go to the same events as some of the guys.
My contact at work is my main source of info.

I also know a father of one of our best backs and know, slightly, two other back.
Lastly I know of 3 people on the supporters site who are on the inside, none of them are regular posters though.
I have no contact with senior managment - not even David Humphreys

Fair play Geoff and thanks for keeping us hungry lot updated!!!

Arn't props ment to be chunky monkeys. Laughing aside, he should take his chance at getting a good run of games at TH.

Johann Muller has been released from the Springbok squad.

http://www.rugby365.com/news/2767221.htm

I assume that means he will be coming back to Ulster now? Maybe his World Cup ship has sailed. I feel bad for him. He was all set to start and then he missed out. It would have meant a lot to him to add to his Springbok caps.

Gutted on Johann's behalf. Delighted on Ulater's.