Stephen Ferris has tipped Ireland to reach a semi-final at the Rugby World Cup but does not think the team will go all the way and lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
Forced to retire aged 29 last year due to a long-standing ankle problem, the Ulster and Ireland legend has released a new book about his life and career in rugby, including his experiences at the 2007 and 2011 tournaments.
Ferris did not get any game-time when Ireland imploded at the 2007 Rugby World Cup but 2011 was a career highlight.
Speaking to Des Cahill on RTÉ Radio 1’s Saturday Sport, he said: “I can see the Ireland team doing really well. If they can get to a semi-final, the boys will come home heroes.
“They can go far. Do I think they’re going to win it? I don’t think they’re going win it, but I think they’re going to give it a good shot and that’s what all the Irish fans want, for the team to go out there and do as best they can.
"Hopefully they’ll learn from our mistakes in 2011 where we didn't turn up (against Wales).”
Ferris was a star at Ireland’s last Rugby World Cup and describes the whole tournament as a career highlight, except for the 'massive disappointment' that was the defeat against Wales in the quarter-final.
“Taking that match away from it, it was probably the best time of my life," he said.
"It was with a group of guys I respected, they we were like brothers, we had a great family atmosphere and we enjoyed every second. We trained our socks off but we also had a good time, had fun.”
Ferris became a breakout star of the Rugby World Cup thanks to a tackle on Will Genia that saw him pick up the Australian scrum-half and carry him backwards from the 10-metre line to his own 22 during Ireland’s sensational 15-6 win. The image became iconic overnight.
"That was just a great day for me. I didn’t realise how big a tackle that was. Cian Healy got Man of the Match that day. That just sums it up. Every game is won and lost up front and Cian Healy dominated (Sekope) Kepu and (Benn) Alexander, the two tighthead props.
"He did so well and we just built on that. Of course, my famous tackle on Will Genia will always be remembered when I carried him back 10 yards. That was just a great day for me."
“I didn’t realise how big a deal that tackle was until it hit the papers the next day and it was on the front and back pages of every newspaper about.
"I was receiving text messages from friends back home and family of me carrying Will Genia down the pitch.
“It was a great performance from the team and the changing room afterwards was all about the team, because nobody expected us to win that match.”
Ferris's career was blighted by injury while tragedy struck on two occasions with team-mates John McCall and Nevin Spence dying during his career.
“My book is a rollercoaster. It is up and down, up and down. And that is exactly how my career was," he explained.
"Everybody thinks I retired on a low but I didn’t, I enjoyed the game. I had nine professional years at the top, played for the Lions, two world cups and a century of caps for Ulster. I retire with absolutely no regrets.”
Ferris does not pull any punches with former Ulster coach Matt Williams coming in for particularly strong criticism
Williams, who had previously taken charge of Leinster and Scotland, was Ulster coach in 2008 and 2009 and failed to impress Ferris during his year in charge.
He said: “As a person I got on really, really well with him. He’s a good guy and he’s good craic. He just wasn’t good enough for Ulster. His international record with Scotland speaks for itself.
“At the time at Ulster we were expecting a Jake White to come in, a big name to drive the team forward and it just didn’t happen.
“Matt came in, and look he tried his best and maybe didn’t have the players that the Ulster team have now. I just thought that he talked too much. As much as I got on with him, I think he was out of his depth.”
