Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / RUGBY UNION
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

09:55 GMT, Friday, 12 June 2009 10:55 UK

Ferris 'gutted' after Lions exit

Stephen Ferris

Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris is disappointed to miss the rest of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa because of a knee injury.

The 23-year-old, who was tipped to take a place in the Test team after impressing in the opening games, tore a knee ligament while training on Monday.

"I'm a bit deflated after such a stupid injury put me out," he said.

"It is pretty gutting, but I have a few highlights and getting a couple of tries for the Lions is fantastic."

Ferris scored two tries in two games and was also named man of the match for his display against the Free State Cheetahs.

"It was just one one of those things, a very unfortunate injury in training," added the Grand Slam winner.

"It was the last drill in the training session and I got twisted the wrong way and that was it, my medial ligaments went on me.

"I hope I did the people proud back in Ulster."


Stephen Ferris

"I got a grade two tear and it wasn't looking too good at the time and then the scan confirmed that I would be missing out.

"When it first happened, I thought I could bounce back up and keep going and then after about 10 seconds, I realised it was a bit sorer than I first thought.

"The doctors were with me straight away and they got me to the hospital for a scan and unfortunately it showed up what they expected.

"I'm back doing rehab already and I'm off the crutches so I'm up walking about.

"I was in the gym this morning, did a few squats and hopefully, in a week or two, it will be strengthened up again and I will be able to get back into the swing of things."

It was bitter blow for Ferris after having made such a promising start to his Lions career.

"To score on my debut and to back it up the following week with a man of the match performance and another try was great.

Stephen Ferris

"I hope I did the people proud back in Ulster. It was such a privilege to play for the Lions.

"I think my first try on my debut was a bit lucky, a couple of the guys counter-rucked pretty well and I picked the ball up and fortunately I had the legs to get close to the sticks.

"It was a great feeling and a great buzz after the game and I knew I played quite well.

"Then to get my first start against the Cheetahs, I was looking to make an impression and give it 100%, but I got a yellow card early on which didn't help things.

"It was a great experience for me and it is definitely a highlight of my career being over here.

"I have made a lot of friends out here and I will carry on those relationships when I get back."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Jeremy Guscott column (09 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Rugby union on the BBC (05 Feb 09 |  Rugby Union )
Halfpenny ruled out of Lions tour (10 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Injured Ferris out of Lions tour (10 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Lions keep Test team under wraps (08 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Cheetahs v Lions photos (06 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Cheetahs 24-26 Lions (06 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Golden Lions 10-74 Lions (03 Jun 09 |  Rugby Union )
Royal XV 25-37 Lions (30 May 09 |  Rugby Union )
Lions squad selector (07 May 09 |  Rugby Union )
2009 Lions: Squad & results (09 Jul 09 |  Rugby Union )
Rugby union positions guide (05 Feb 07 |  Laws & Equipment )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Lions Rugby
South Africa Rugby
Rugby union weather
Scrum V homepage
Your say - 606
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Rugby Union Contents:  Live scores | English | Irish | Scottish | Welsh | My Club | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©