Stephen Ferris

Ferris graduated from the Ulster Academy and joined Ulster Rugby on a development contract at the start of the 2005–06 season. He was named in the Ireland Under-20 Rugby World Cup Squad in 2005. He made his Ulster debut against Border Reivers in October 2005. Ferris made his full Ireland debut against Pacific Islanders in November 2006. Ferris was selected for the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad in 2007 but was an unused reserve at the tournament. Injury ruled Ferris out of the 2008 Six Nations, but good early season form for Ulster saw him rewarded with three further caps during Ireland's end of year campaign. He earned his fifth Irish cap against Australia in June 2008.

Going into the 2011–12 season, Ulster and Ferris shone on the European stage with the Irish side putting in a memorable 41–7 win over Leicester at Ravenhill during the Heineken Cup group stages. Despite injury, Ferris performed valiantly earning man of the match honours during Ulster's Heineken cup quarter final victory over Munster. Due to his strong performances Ferris was nominated for the ERC European Player of the Year 2012. Ulster ended up losing to Leinster in the 2012 Heineken Cup Final, 42–14. Ferris last played against Edinburgh in November 2012, due to an ankle injury he sustained. This injury prevented a potentially lucrative move to Japan. He remained at Ulster on a short term contract as he underwent rehabilitation, before returning against the Scarlets on the 14 March 2014 where he came off the bench to a standing ovation after a 15-month absence. Ulster went on to win the Scarlets match 26–13. Unfortunately, the injury recurred forcing Ferris' retirement in June 2014, aged 28.

Stephen Ferris (born 2 August 1985) is a retired Irish rugby union player who played for Ulster and represented Ireland internationally. Ferris played club rugby with Dungannon. He is from Maghaberry and attended Friends' School Lisburn. He played for Ulster and Ireland in all three backrow positions. Ferris retired for rugby in June 2014 after a long-standing ankle injury ended his career.