- Date of Birth02 / 08 / 1985
- Lions Tours2009
- International CapsIreland
- Lions Origin SchoolsFriend's School Lisburn
- Lions Origin ClubsDungannon, Ulster, Portadown
It had all started so well in South Africa in 2009 for blindside flanker Stephen Ferris.
A relative late starter to the game after first picking up a rugby ball at the age of 13, Ferris was on the plane to South Africa 11 years later to represent the Lions.
After starting and scoring tries in warm-up victories over the Golden Lions and Free State Cheetahs though, Ferris tore the medial collateral ligament in his knee during a training session.
The Irishman was forced to return home and was replaced in the Lions squad by Wales captain Ryan Jones.
He was forced to retire in 2014 at the age of only 28 and with only 35 Ireland caps to his name after finally losing his battle with with a long-standing ankle injury.