Rugby

Ferris returns for Bowe reunion

Squad news : Stephen Ferris makes a welcome return to the Ulster squad ahead of the province's trip to Wales to take on the …

Wed Sept 24 2008 - 01:00

Squad news: Stephen Ferris makes a welcome return to the Ulster squad ahead of the province's trip to Wales to take on the Ospreys where they go in search of their first Magners League win.

Ferris has been troubled with a back injury since the Ireland summer tour but the backrow is back training and looking forward to his first start of the new campaign.

"I am really glad to be getting the chance to play this weekend; I don't mind if I play 6 or 8, I am just looking forward to getting some game time and getting back on that pitch," said Ferris.

"We always seem to do alright against the Ospreys and if we can cut out the errors from previous games and keep our set piece play tight, then I think we can get a result.

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"It will be a tough task against the Ospreys, they are an impressive side. It is going to be strange playing against Tommy (Bowe) but the friendships will be left behind in the changing room."

Last year's player of the year agrees. Speaking ahead of the game, Bowe said: "It's going to be a little strange playing against Ulster, but I'm looking forward to it. I had a great time there and I've got plenty of friends in the camp so it's going to be good to meet up with everyone and catch up with them, but the friendships will be put on hold for 80 minutes or so when we cross the white line.

"The fact that it's against my old side, and I'm coming up against players I have worked and trained with for five years, people I call my friends, doesn't come into it in the slightest," added the Ireland wing. "I'm a professional rugby player and that comes first, friendships will be put aside and the most important factor will be helping to secure another win for the Ospreys."
If he plays, Bowe will have the opportunity to equal Matthew J Watkins' record of 30 tries in the Magners League, having scored 28 of his 29 for Ulster. He won't be dwelling on it but the irony is not lost either.
"These things always tend to happen don't they? Having spent five enjoyable years as part of the Ulster set-up, where I scored all bar one of my Magners League tries, it wouldn't surprise me if that happened, but I'm not really paying much attention to records and facts and figures. I'd take not scoring and the Ospreys winning over me getting that try but losing anytime. Of course, records are nice to have on the CV but I'm not spending too much time thinking about it."

Scrumhalf Paul Marshall is also named in Ulster's 25-man squad in place of Cillian Willis, as player/coach Paul Steinmetz and Stuart Philpott return to the squad.

Ulster go into the game having lost their opening three games to Welsh opposition, two of them on the road plus the 14-16 defeat to the Dragons at Ravenhill.

Ospreys are second in the league having won three out of four games. They also welcome back Welsh International Gavin Henson into their starting XV, who will line-up alongside Bowe.

"It will be a different type of game," said Ulster assistant coach and former Welsh international Steve Williams.

"They present a real physical challenge and have some superb individual players. It is a fantastic stadium to play in and a tough place to play but as a player you have to be excited about playing against the Ospreys at the Liberty."

"All our players are looking forward to it, we know we have only been a dropped pass or missed kick away from being further up the table. We see the Ospreys game as our chance."

Ulster squad:

Forwards: J Fitzpatrick; N Brady, T Court, R Best, B Botha, C Del Fava, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, M McCullough, K Dawson, R Diack, T Anderson, S Philpott, S Ferris

Backs: N O'Connor; B Cunningham, T Nagusa, R Dewey, D Cave, A Trimble, C Schifcofske, I Boss, P Steinmetz, P Marshall, I Humphreys

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