One F

[ruckover]

While I'm absolutely over the moon by the news, the six month contract definitely indicates that it's a wait-and-see job. I'd say this is the final chance for Ferris, if he doesn't make it back this time then he's out the door, which would be very upsetting to see. But as I have said, delighted by the news.

[Rooster]

Realistically I think the IRFU had a moral if not legal obligation to keep him for a while since it was them trying to get him semi patched up for the 6 Nations that left him injured for longer than he could have been and thus no chance to prove his fitness for a contract with anyone else. Hope it all works out and we see Fez back in an Ulster shirt early 2014

[CIMANFOREVER]

So Ferris back late October maybe then? What then if he stays fit until the end of the year? A year and a half contract?

BBC not sayin he wont be fit intil new year? 2014... regardless, worth a punt- I'd stump the money up myself to see him play again like he did at Turnip Park, Easter, 2012......turned up all the way to 11 man....

[BR]

1F will sign a deal to keep him at Ravers this week according to the BBC!

This week?? Is he doing some plastering or something? (I heard he was in plaster, but that's not what I thought they meant)

[scrum5]

Realistically I think the IRFU had a moral if not legal obligation to keep him for a while since it was them trying to get him semi patched up for the 6 Nations that left him injured for longer than he could have been and thus no chance to prove his fitness for a contract with anyone else. Hope it all works out and we see Fez back in an Ulster shirt early 2014

That would be my understanding as well, IRFU have a duty of care for a player injured while in contract and it is the correct thing to do to make sure that the player is given every opportunity to regain full fitness, if Stevie gets fit and hopefully stays fit then a 2+ year deal should be offered.....

[pwrmoore]

Realistically I think the IRFU had a moral if not legal obligation to keep him for a while since it was them trying to get him semi patched up for the 6 Nations that left him injured for longer than he could have been and thus no chance to prove his fitness for a contract with anyone else. Hope it all works out and we see Fez back in an Ulster shirt early 2014

That would be my understanding as well, IRFU have a duty of care for a player injured while in contract and it is the correct thing to do to make sure that the player is given every opportunity to regain full fitness, if Stevie gets fit and hopefully stays fit then a 2+ year deal should be offered.....

Agreed.

[BuckRogers]

Big risk for Fez all the same, if he'd retired now he would have been a very, very rich man. He would have been paid his current wage to the age of 35/36.

I wonder is the deal structured in such a way that it the rehab doesn't work out he doesn't take up the new contract and thus qualifies for the bigger pay out?

[Thelaw]

Stephen Ferris ‏@StephenFerris6 6h
Thanks for all the MSG of support over the last 7/8 months. Hopefully in another few months you will see me playing for ulster once again.

[shamalicious]

He's Ulster through and through. Crossed fingers for him that we see him tearing it up in an Ulster shirt again.

[son of ulster]

Good on ya Stevie!
YOU'R ULSTER TILL YOU DIE
ULSTER TILL YOU DIE
WE KNOW YOU ARE, WE'RE SURE YOU ARE
YOU'R ULSTER TILL YOU DIE.

[davejohnston]

Session ticket money well spent if I get to see Fez play again later this year/2014.
I couldn't help thinking it would have been bitter sweet winning any tournament last year without the likes of fez getting to lift a medal. One last role of the dice and maybe this year well win and 1F will be part of it.

[Dave]

Stevie will be back in no time, fit as a fiddle and wrecking bais on the rugby field. This will be his best season yet. They'll stick on an extra lions tour next summer, just for him. He'll be indestructible next year. Wait til ye see it!! There is only wan fecking Feeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrris!!

[bootlaced]

Good to see the big man back.How will he fit into the team? He certainly needs a run of games to get match fit.Do we then rest him for certain Rabo games and then unleash him in the HEC or do we just get him fit for the November Internationals.

[damianmcr]

I heard Genia is scared of Ferris after getting picked up by him and was relieved he wasnt with the Lions.

All joking aside its brilliant Ferris has signed on even for 6months. Lets hope he has luck on his side.

[ColinM]

Good to see the big man back.How will he fit into the team? He certainly needs a run of games to get match fit.Do we then rest him for certain Rabo games and then unleash him in the HEC or do we just get him fit for the November Internationals.

I think resting the big fella in advance of important games just doesnt even come in to it until he's proved he can get fit enough to be considered for selection, and then gained match fitness by ramping up minutes on the pitch over at least 4 or 5 games.

Fitting him into the team isnt a problem, if he's available and needs to play he plays, no discussion.

I'm genuinely excited we'll see him back and fearful we won't in equal measure. Delighted he's staying here but undoubtedly given the contract term, its been awarded more on the basis of hope than expectation.