Links Between Past And Present?

Willie John McBride         Stephen Ferris

 Willie John McBride                      Stephen Ferris       

We're often told that the game has changed out of all recognition in the past five or 10 years (it is ever thus with rugby by the way) but I like to think there are threads that link past and present.

I'm not sure if it's just a physical resemblance - both are 6'4 for what it's worth - but does anyone else see a similarity between these two?

Brendan Cole

 
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Comments:

Not old enough to remember Willie John but from what I read he was a titanic leader. I have admired Ferris for a long time and his displays for Ireland have been superlative.In only his first Six nations he challenges O' Connell for the mantle for most effective forward. His defence, aggression, pace, offloading and enjoyment of the game he is exemplary. I have seen him play at Thomond for Ulster and he is very vocal and leads by example. Hard on Leamy but the kids got the edge.

Posted by Ed,London on March 05, 2009 at 09:21 AM GMT #

For the record, a little extra research reveals that Willie John McBride is actually 6'2.

Posted by Brendan Cole on March 05, 2009 at 10:10 AM GMT #

Yep, Ferris has been superb. I just saw something in this pic that put the WJB aura in mind.......something about the way Ferris manages to be a real sportsman but also as hard as nails at the same time. Sets a great example.

Posted by Brendan Cole on March 05, 2009 at 10:11 AM GMT #

Make that 6'3 and a quarter (or 6.2 feet)

Posted by Brendan Cole on March 05, 2009 at 10:38 AM GMT #

Surely Ferris will be a future Ireland captain. I'd even go as far as to say he's likely to take it after O'Driscoll.

Posted by Paul on March 05, 2009 at 10:57 AM GMT #

Fair play to us Irish, we're not short on optimism. Ferris has had a great start to his Irish career and looks every part the Lions 6 but he'll have to keep performing at his very best with the likes of Leamy and Jennings looking over his shoulder. It's not long since we were saying very similar things about Niel Best and before him Johnny O'Connor (albeit at 7)

Posted by Barry on March 06, 2009 at 01:07 AM GMT #

I think what Ferris has done is ahead of anything achieved by O'Connor or Best - and he's much younger than either of them.

Posted by Brendan Cole on March 06, 2009 at 12:36 PM GMT #

I thought we built players up to the gods very very quickly in Wales but there is a touch of this here. Excellent as Ferris' performances have been this season I think he would be a touch embarassed with the Willie John comparison at this point in his career , lets have a look again in 10 years maybe.

Posted by Pontylad on March 06, 2009 at 01:16 PM GMT #

Got to emphasise again that this is partly about the picture! I said to myself, 'who does this remind me of'? Thought about it for a minute or two and then said 'aha'! Stephen, if you're reading - no pressurem, and keep it up!

Posted by Brendan Cole on March 06, 2009 at 02:59 PM GMT #

Thrilled to bits to see how Ferris's season has gone so far. Unlucky not to get MOM against England but BOD's resurgence was much deeper and held more importance. Ferris is becoming a hero to me by his on-field endeavours and especially his work-rate but his personality is not widely known yet and I think this debate is a bit premature and unfair to Ferris. WJM is a collossus in world-wide rugby circles but he was known "as the quite one" in his early career and he had to morph into the great leader that we all know of now. Give Ferris a Chance.

Posted by Jas O'Callaghan on March 10, 2009 at 04:02 AM GMT #

I am old enough to have seen Willie John Mc Bride playing, a wonderful person and player. I am delighted to see Peter Stringer back for the game against Scotland, his passing when he comes on is something else. On another matter what does anyone think about the second Rugby Anthem 'Ireland's Call', it just makes me cringe to hear it and I am sorry but mute button on the TV comes in handy then. Mrs B Smith

Posted by bernadette smith on March 10, 2009 at 03:27 PM GMT #

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