Ireland could be in line for a major boost after it emerged that back-row forward Stephen Ferris could yet play a part in the upcoming Six Nations.
Ferris had ankle surgery in December to repair tendon damage sustained in a PRO12 clash with Edinburgh and missed all of November's Tests.
However, Ulster coach Mark Anscombe has given a positive bulletin on the 27-year-old blindside's rehabilitation that will delight Ireland supporters.
"Stephen Ferris, mid-February, fingers crossed, all going well," he told BBC Sport.
Regarding the fitness of fellow international Tommy Bowe, Anscombe urged caution over the wing and doubted he would be fit to play in their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.
"That would be pushing it," said the Ulster coach.
"We've got to be very careful with such a serious injury that he had. We don't want to be rushing it. We've got to look at the longer-term effects of where it's at."
Comments
bothhands says...
Reading Irish provincial bickering is painful. And for the author to suggest Devin Toner has a place in the squad, well that's surely a joke. Did you watch his last outing against Exeter? He does his best but he is not close to international requirement .....
Posted 15:23 03rd February 2013
irishzimbabwean says...
carpelone - I still do not understand the Heaslip problem. Joe Schmidt has redesigned Heaslip's role in the Leinster backrow to free up the likes of O'Brien. Heaslip's role as a ball handler has been minimised to allow him to become more of a provider, thus freeing up O'Brien to carry more. The amount of ball that Heaslip wins in rucks from turnovers is startling. He also gets through a huge amount of tackling, offensive rucking, driving mauls and lineouts. Ireland and Leinster will only realise this when he is gone. He has become a remarkably unselfish player, a real team player. By the way - almost agree with you on the best back row. Henry, Ferris and Heaslip, with O'Brien coming off the bench would be awesome.
Posted 15:04 23rd January 2013
irishzimbabwean says...
carpelone - still do not understand the Heaslip criticism. Leinster have him playing a different game as a Number 8. He has taken over the flankers, role of fetcher/rucker/mauler/tackler and begin the main ball winner for Leinster in the loose. Over the last three years, invariably when you saw a turnover for Leinster or a ruck penalty awarded against the Leinster opposition - you would find Heaslip at the centre. His new, mightily unselfish role is as a ballwinner to allow the likes of Sean O'Brien to be ball carriers. Leinster and Ireland fans will only discover how good he is /was when he is gone.
Irish backrow of Henry/Ferris/Heaslip would have superb balance - with O'Brien coming off the bench it would be devastating!
Sadly this all probably theory as the chance of Ferris playing Six Nations, Heineken Cup and Lions and making it through with no further injury is unlikely in the extreme!
Posted 10:52 23rd January 2013
BiggyFint says...
He shouldn't be rushed back. Great news for Ulster. They have a monster back row whoever starts.
Posted 20:26 22nd January 2013
Norm says...
Not sure melkdave
The unfortunate career of Ferris has been blighted by injury which I have always maintained is due to the nuts out, body on the line way he plays the game. He always starts off after previous injuries at a sprint and I dont think it would take much more than 80 minutes for a FIT Ferris to indellibly print his name not only in the squad but in the test 15, (just for the joy of watching him Carry Genia home again at the least). But the fact he is a serial injury lay off is possibly also down to this same characeristic. A choice between Ferris in the 6N and then the lions or a better run of health longer term i would go for the latter. However i suspect that after his 2009 Lions lay off, there are only two things on his mind: kicking Sarries off whichever pitch they hurry up and decide on and then The wallabies in the summer.
The 6N in the midst of that would be a bonus but a mistake
Posted 19:44 22nd January 2013
Norm says...
Not sure melkdave
The unfortunate career of Ferris has been blighted by injury which I have always maintained is due to the nuts out, body on the line way he plays the game. He always starts off after previous injuries at a sprint and I dont think it would take much more than 80 minutes for a FIT Ferris to indellibly print his name not only in the squad but in the test 15, (just for the joy of watching him Carry Genia home again at the least). But the fact he is a serial injury lay off is possibly also down to this same characeristic. A choice between Ferris in the 6N and then the lions or a better run of health longer term i would go for the latter. However i suspect that after his 2009 Lions lay off, there are only two things on his mind: kicking Sarries off whichever pitch they hurry up and decide on and then The wallabies in the summer.
The 6N in the midst of that would be a bonus but a mistake
Posted 19:42 22nd January 2013
carpelone says...
ArmchairGeneral
A bit of positive thinking.
Posted 17:26 22nd January 2013
connaughtabu says...
I just hope he is back in time for the Lions tour
Posted 16:54 22nd January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Carpelone: "never rush a player back. What about Ferris 6..." Aye?
Posted 14:42 22nd January 2013
carpelone says...
Never rush back a player.
What about Ferris 6, Henry 7 and O'Brien 8?
This would by my favourite back row, but it is not going to happen, since Heaslip is the captain.
Posted 13:47 22nd January 2013
melkdave says...
Good news for Ireland and Ferris himself long term imo.But i do feel he wont be getting on the plane to Australia in the summer.After such a long layoff his going to need 2-3 games to get back to anywhere near his best,and i dont think,he has time to really impress WG ect before they pick the intial squad.
Posted 13:33 22nd January 2013
curates_egg says...
For Ulster's sake, I hope he is not rushed back.
Posted 13:26 22nd January 2013