Ferris back in Ulster squad for visit to champions Ospreys

RUGBY:STEPHEN FERRIS is set to play his first game since Ulster's defeat in the Heineken Cup final against Leinster after Mark Anscombe included the Lions and Irish flanker in their squad for this weekend's clash with defending PRO 12 League champions the Ospreys on Saturday evening in the Liberty Stadium.

The all-action Ulster blindside pushed himself to the limit on the seasonal run-in after being ruled out of the semi-final and recovered to put his body on the line in trademark style in the Twickenham final, whereupon he compounded his well-chronicled knee problems by sustaining a calf strain. Sidelined for the resulting tour to New Zealand, this also afforded him an opportunity to undergo an operation to repair a thumb problem.

Andrew Trimble is also in line for his seasonal reappearance after being named in the squad, with the likelihood being that Anscombe will ease them back in gradually, and thus both will see some action off the bench in Swansea.

Outhalf Paddy Jackson is expected to start despite limping off after 10 minutes against Glasgow due to a tight calf while loose forward Nick Williams has recovered from a dead leg.

Rory Best and Chris Henry are still unavailable while Roger Wilson (hamstring) and Paddy Wallace (shoulder) are sidelined until October. Fullback Adam D’Arcy, centre Nevin Spence and flanker Ali Birch are all making better progress.

Ulster will thus again rely on a core of Academy products but recalling the win over Glasgow, defence coach Jonny Bell said: “The Academy should be very proud of themselves with the work they’ve done with the young guys. It shows that there is talent out there, our players have done exceptionally well and all credit to Mark and Brian McLaughlin last year in filtering young guys through and giving them the opportunity.

“There’s nothing worse for a young guy than to work really hard and then see a closed door at the end of the pathway. He’s got to see opportunities and Mark has worked incredibly hard to give these guys opportunities and build a competitive environment for the whole squad and make sure that everyone earns the right to wear the jersey.

“That’s central to what makes people competitive and they know they’ve got to fight to be part of something they want to be involved with.

“The young guys have stepped up to the mark and it’s about development for them and exposure to teams at the top level. You only get better when you’re playing at that level consistently and certainly the future is very encouraging.”

ULSTER SQUAD– Forwards (16): R Herring, N Annett, N Brady, A Macklin, D Fitzpatrick, C Black, T Court, J Afoa, L Stevenson, N McComb, J Muller, M McComish, S Ferris, R Diack, S Doyle, N Williams; Backs (12): P Marshall, M Heaney, N O'Connor, P Jackson, L Marshall, C Farrell, D Cave, M Allen, C Gilroy, A Trimble, P Nelson, J Payne.