Fitness of the 1F (Stephen Ferris)

Hi guys and gals, just wondering if anyone out there has heard any news lately regarding the big man and how his knee is holding up? cheers

Last chance saloon from what I've heard. Was speaking to a taxi driver on the way home from Belfast one night last month, and once he'd got politics and the economy off his chest his attention turned to Ulster Rugby. From what he was saying 1f has or had less than 20% of the cartilage ordinarily found left in his knee. On twitter before he had this final operation 1f talked about sorting the problem out once and for all, I've no idea how the procedure went though. Cartilage doner? One thing I do know is that he was down south a few weeks ago signing stuff for NZ. Similar situation to Kearney, he needs a good bit of gametime between now and the WC though. Fingers crossed!

What I like about information you hear from taxi drivers is it's 100% accuracy.

He's running again, he's back in pre-season now in an effort to reach full fitness, and the IRFU are hoping he will be fit by August.

Apart from that, your guess is as good as mine.

Reminds me of Simon Geoghegan and his toe injuries. Amazing player that had to pack it in really early cause there was no cartlidge left in his big toe. Went to the US among other places for various different treatments with no luck. Really hope the same doesn't happen to Ferris.

Is there any treatment though for having no cardlidge? I remember him saying before he was nearly bone on bone? It doesn't bear thinking about really but how can he possibly continue to play a sport as dynamic and physical as rugby with hardly any cartlidge?

You're terribly sarcastic sometimes Notch. Ought to have mentioned that this same cabbie on a different journey home told us to back ballabriges for the national. Hope he was having an off day when he learnt about 1f.

The bone on bone thingimy happened to Dean Ashton PL footballer. His cartilage problems were related to his ankle though I think. He had to give up in his mid 20s and was on crutches for quite a while afterwards. Serious stuff, wouldn't want 1f to do himself any long term damage that might affect him when he does retire.

Would you guys take a risk on a not fully fit Ferris, should he go to WC ?

I agree willy as much as I'd love to see this guy have a long and successful career with Ulster, Ireland and the Lions I wouldn't like to see him jepordise his long term health. I hope the people who are advising him have his best interests at heart, although I'm sure he's being well looked after.

I presume he is getting proper advice, as much as we need him(and we do)
Its not the be all and end all if he didn't make it, we have cover so he should not be risked or rushed until everything is ok.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Would you guys take a risk on a not fully fit Ferris, should he go to WC ?

No. We have Sean O'Brien and Kevin McGlaughlin as well as several others so we can manage. When fit Ferris certainly bring a lot but I wouldn't risk him for his sake or the teams.

with regards to the bone on bone issue. That is exactly what happened to Tom Shanklin this season and what has forced him to retire. I would hope in this case that Ferris isn't rushed back, and that everything is done for him to recover properly, if only to prolong his career for another few seasons. It would be a huge shame if someone of his talent had to retire so young.

Obviously it's sad to hear about a player having long term injury worries, and hopefully for his sake and the game's sake he gets back to full fitness.

But if I could digress for a second, why is his nickname 1F? Something I've never understood.

Guys one question; What exactly is Ferris waiting to recover from? I mean the carlidge isn't going to grow back so why is he not playing or training now? What is going to chnage between now and september?

Well, he is hard as nail and I'd love to have him in NZ but unlike some positions we have adequate cover. That's the selfish point out of the way. It would be awful if he himself risked long term damge or if he were risked by coaches in the same fashion.

As important as sport is (and I LOVE my rugby) walking without too much pain or difficulty in your late 20's or early 30's is FAR more important than any game of rugby or any professional sporting career. Imho.

Cos there's only 1 f in ferris.

Haha, okay. Makes sense I guess.

roddersm,

See Notch's first post.

On a different tack you would have thought that with advances in medicine that they would have come up with some kind of synthetic cartilage at this stage.

I would've thought that silicone of some sort could be employed (unless of course Jordan has cornered the world supply).

I love Ferris. The passion and intensity he brings when he plays for Ulster and Ireland is up there with the best and the greatest to ever have played in either shirt. And I genuinely stand over that statement. However, the fact he only has 20% cartilage in his knee is very worrying. Like others, I really hope that the medical experts and specialists are being completely open, honest and frank in explaining the whole situation and possible consequences to him. Some things are more important than rugby, and Stephen Ferris' long term health certainly is. He hasn't played since January as far as I know so I'm sure if it's possible to get the man fit for the world cup, he'll be fit. It will definitely be his last though, so when he charges at those Aussies on the 17th of September, enjoy watching the magic lads.

From the recent research that i did (internet only as of yet) there are three procedures that i came across for replacing/making cartilage for knees. Pasting seems to have had the best success. You take bone from elsewhere, mash it up and stick it where the cartilage was. http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/cartilage-injuries.html

I would love to meet anyone who's undergone these procedures. Know anyone?

I hope he can get fit for Ulster, I hope he can fit for Ireland but most of all I hope he gets fit for Stephen Ferris. He's left school at 16, he was tarmacking driveways before he took up rugby. This is his vocation. It would be such a shame if he couldn't do it any more.

According to twitter he enjoyed a treadmill session today, has rehab tomorrow and is due back on the treadmill on wed. He signed off with #gettingfitagain

So, he's sounding positive, let's all pray he's back soon and for good.

(and yes, i do fell like a dirty stalker when Im on twitter, but then, that's what it's there for!)

If he gets fully fit there'll be some lively debates between Leinster and Ulster fans over Ferris and O'Brien for the 6 jersey at the World Cup. Then someone will suggest Ferris at 6 and O'Brien to replace Wallace at 7, and the Munster fans will get involved. Can't wait.

Very well said Notch.

Don't want to sound negative here but a session on the treadmill is a world away from playing rugby. After so much time out the fact that he's only doing treadmill work and rehabing is pretty worrying if you ask me.

I really want to see him on the pitch again but he needs to put his health first.

He saw a Doctor in Belfast - not very positive.
Sent to London by Dublin (if you see what I mean !)
to a speacialist.
Slightly more hopeful.
Back doing light training involving some physical impact.

Those Silicon substitute cartilages are fine for the likes of you and me but they can't cope with the inpact of professional rugby

Will he make the WC - don't know
Will he play for Uslter next year - my guess is HC and not much else.

Ulster have switched their recruitment priorities to getting a least 1 more backrower rather than a TH (Afoa, Court, Fitzpatrick and Cronin will cover) or a 10 (we believe Humph, Pienaer, Wallace, Jackson, McKinney can adequately cover) just in case the worst happens.

Long term I have to say unless he is very careful he will end up like Tommy Smith the old Liverpool footballer.

roddersm wrote:Very well said Notch.

Don't want to sound negative here but a session on the treadmill is a world away from playing rugby. After so much time out the fact that he's only doing treadmill work and rehabing is pretty worrying if you ask me.

I really want to see him on the pitch again but he needs to put his health first.

roddersm

Totally agree....I dont want him to play in new zealand and then be a cripple for the rest of his life, his body has to last until 70 or so. As much as I'd like him to play I think he and the medical team should do whats best long term.

If he can recover and play well without long term issues then thats grand. If not I'm sorry to say he should probably call it a day.

No worries boys cheers for the replies, heres to hoping a big big player for both Ulster and Ireland

Ferris has had miniscus repairs. ie they trim the cartilage.

i have had this 5 times and still play but nowhere near my best level. i played england u21s and nearly 200 national div games

each cartilage op slowed me further. now at 34 i can train 1 in 2 days and my leg aches and is bone on bone. synthetic cartilage can only be used if you have not had a minusscotimy(sp) ie trimming of cartilage

my understanding is ferris has had trim twice and ACL from lions. Should be fine

he is like keith wood in that he is so all action he will get injured.

SOB not fit to lace his boots. SOB a gym monkey ferris a player. SOB off the bench would be scary. Irelands willem Albets

Thanks for that anonmattyt thats a really helpful post (for me anyway). Sorry to hear about your own injury strife but thats good that you were able to keep playing.

I'm not sure I agree totally with your last paragraph. I think SOB is a fantastic player although I would take a fully fit ferris over him at 6.

I hope you are right and that ferris should be fine to continue.

"SOB not fit to lace his boots. SOB a gym monkey ferris a player. SOB off the bench would be scary. Irelands willem Albets"

Perhaps the dumbest thing Ive read on here. European player of the year.

I bet England would love a "gym monkey" like him.

Boyne wrote:"SOB not fit to lace his boots. SOB a gym monkey ferris a player. SOB off the bench would be scary. Irelands willem Albets"

Perhaps the dumbest thing Ive read on here. European player of the year.

I bet England would love a "gym monkey" like him.

Not a fan of SOB in anyway. Think he is a good impact player. By Gym Monkey i mean he has no rugby brain. I went to the HC final and watched him unable to read the game in anyway.

When on the front foot he is great and a robust carrier. you learn more about a flanker when they are in a pack getting beaten.

Ferris is an intelligent player and an athlete. SOB just an athlete. SOB also is a lazy player at breakdown and hangs around just looking to carry.

For me SOB will end up at 6 but his work rate in tackle and breakdown needs work. Carrying he is phenomenal but that is all he adds. When Jennings came on it changed the HC final and then SOB got to carry and damage.

As an english fan i would want SOB but not as a starter. i would love to bring him on at 60

Actually there is a grain of truth to these comments; although the impact O'Brien has on the ball can be game breaking. His game is carrying the ball, and he has scope to develop the other parts of his game. He is slightly understating the value of having O'Brien, but when he goes to the RWC- probably as a starter- he's gonna be tested on a whole new level and we'll see what he can bring.

The much maligned poster is also right that O'Brien would be the perfect impact player for any side

much maligned?? it was only boyne

game about opinions. i have played enough to deserve my opinions. If wrong i always admit it.

i was convinced like many coaches that neil back was too small. how wrong was i

Fair enough matt

As for Ferris, he sounds quite positive. Posted this up date on the Guiness Rugby Supporters Ireland facebook page.

Fantastic weeks training done with Alan the Ulster Physio. Making serious gains. Now for a relaxing weekend off watching the masterclass of Rory at the US open. Rest needed for another massive training week.

Word of caution Ferris is notoriously over optimistic when it comes to injuries