Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris made his international bow against the Pacific Islands in the final game at the old Lansdowne Road.

Ferris had previously represented Ireland at age-grade levels, and was also named Ulster's player of the season in 2006. The young Ferris is a hard running athlete who can play anywhere across the back-row, with his tireless work-rate enhanced by a lust for contact.

He was plagued by injury following Ireland's 2007 summer tour to Argentina, with torn knee cartilage forcing him under the knife. He recovered to take his place with Ireland's World Cup squad, but was forced into another knee operation after not featuring during 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 retained his place for the following year's Six Nations and was an ever-present as Declan Kidney's side clinched the Grand Slam. Selection for the British & Irish Lions' tour to South Africa followed but his trip was cruelly ended early by injury.

He made his international return for the autumn series later the same year and featured strongly in the hard-fought draw with Australia and the impressive victory over South Africa.

Ferris missed the 2011 Six Nations and the second half of Ulster's domestic campaign with a knee injury. But in July he gave Ireland a major boost by announcing he would be fit to challenge for a place in the Irish Rugby World Cup squad.

And during the campaign, Ferris shone in their historic win over Australia in the group stages. He adopted the now famous 'wrap around' tackle to prevent the Wallabies from getting quick ball as Declan Kidney's men ran out 15-6 winners. Ireland eventually bowed out to Wales in the quarter-finals but Ferris was one of the standout players in the tournament.

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.