With three consecutive defeats for the Ulster boys, the return of their international representatives could not be more timely. Captain Johann Muller returns to the fold for this weeks game and is looking on with anticipation:
I kept an eye on the team when I was out in New Zealand and was always calling to see how they were doing but it’s nice to be back. We (the WC guys) had two weeks to settle back into family life, training schedules, etc. and now we’re just really excited to get back out there and win our next group of games and show everyone what we have.
Apparently living out of a suitcase for 5 months doesn’t appeal to our adopted Ulster man!
With Best and Ferris being rested for this week’s game as a result of the IRFU and World Cup schedules, Best has been doing light weights since his return and it is hopeful he will get a run out in the game against Connacht. The boys are in need of a well earned rest after their World Cup campaign even despite it’s disappointing end against fellow celts, Wales.
However, we did see glimmers of what the boys can do and one man whose sheer power, skill and work rate became a focal talking point of the whole tournament, and not just the irish media, was Ulster’s very own Stephen Ferris. When asked about Ireland’s coverage in comparison to the poor attention that England faced, Ferris laughed:
I got away with it I think, there’s a few photo’s floating around but it wasn’t me, I think it was somebody impersonating me…he was in good shape though. I think when we went out to have quiet pint, when we went out to enjoy ourselves, the Irish media was actually out with us… whereas the English media it seems like they’re almost out to get them.
So in true Irish tradition it seems the reason the lads get away with the lash is because the emerald press are in equal merriment! Typical!
Ferris was obviously disappointed with Ireland’s performance, but made a point of saying that the team would not have stepped on the plane without the belief that they could take it all the way and at the end of the day it was small margins that led the team to be knocked out.
Andrew Trimble must have been even more disappointed considering the lack of game time he saw and commented how he is eagerly awaiting turning out in a white shirt again and actually playing some rugby!
However, having had a sneak at the Ulster calendar which is set to go on sale next week, Trimble and the lads will soon receive some positive feedback from the ladies whether they perform on the pitch or not! Simon Danielli who hasn’t seen the finished product yet commented that he has no chance of a modeling career when he hangs his boots up (I would most definitely disagree!).
Mentally redressing the team again Ferris said that he hadn’t seen the FRU’s very own ‘There’s Only One ‘F’ in Ferris’ merchandise but was very amused and requested and XL!
All joking aside, with six of the returning internationals announced in this weeks line up against the Scarlets fingers crossed it will be a much needed boost for the team to help them break their recent string of defeats!
Corrections, comments or questions?