Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

'There's a balance to the team when Rob plays in it. It was very evident last week that there wasn't balance when Jordan Larmour was put under pressure'

Kearney brings more balance to Ireland than Larmour

Rob Kearney has been named to start against the All Blacks and new RTÉ rugby columnist Stephen Ferris writes that he brings more balance to the Ireland side than the newcomer Jordan Larmour.

Rugby • 16 Nov 18

'It's going to be a thrilling Test match but any team that concedes as much as Argentina against the big teams, of which Ireland are one, are in trouble'

Pumas the perfect audition for under pressure O'Brien

After a hard year looking on from the sidelines, Sean O'Brien is facing into a key moment in his career, writes new RTÉ rugby columnist Stephen Ferris.

Rugby • 08 Nov 18

Stephen Ferris retired due to a recurring ankle injury

Ferris: I may never run again due to injury

Stephen Ferris fears he may never run again due to the ankle injury that has forced him to retire from rugby.

Rugby • 04 Jun 14

Stephen Ferris has been forced to retire at the age of 28

Ferris calls time on rugby career

Stephen Ferris has announced his retirement from rugby because of injury problems.

Rugby • 03 Jun 14

Paul O'Connell starts for Munster against Treviso

Pro12 teams: O'Connell starts for Munster

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell returns to the Munster starting line-up for their Pro12 clash with Treviso.

Rugby • 21 Mar 14

Stephen Ferris initially damaged his ankle in a game against Edinburgh in November 2012

Ferris set to make first appearance in 16 months

Stephen Ferris is in line to play for the first time since injuring his ankle in November 2012 after being named as a substitute for Ulster's Pro12 game with the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday.

Rugby • 13 Mar 14

Declan Fitzpatrick: 'Both my family and I love living in Belfast so it is great to have our long-term future sorted out'

Fitzpatrick and Ferris extend IRFU deals

Declan Fitzpatrick and Stephen Ferris have agreed new IRFU contracts to see them extend their stay with Ulster.

Rugby • 10 Jan 14

Stephen Ferris has penned a deal to stay with Ulster until the end of 2013

Ferris pens six-month deal with Ulster and Ireland

Stephen Ferris has signed a six-month contract extension with Ulster and Ireland that will see him remain at Ravenhill until at least the end of 2013.

Rugby • 26 Jun 13

Stephen Ferris is expected to make a full recovery

Ferris out for a further three months

Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris will be out of action for a further three months following an operation on his ankle yesterday.

Rugby • 28 Feb 13

Stephen Ferris has not recovered from an ankle injury

Ferris still suffering from ankle problems

Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has not recovered from ankle tendon damage following surgery and will have to undergo further treatment.

Rugby • 21 Feb 13

Stephen Ferris limps off against Edinburgh

Ferris undergoes ankle surgery

Ulster back-row forward Stephen Ferris has undergone surgery to repair an ankle tendon injury.

Rugby • 05 Dec 12

Stephen Ferris and Paul O'Connell will be watching the remainder of the autumn internationals from the sidelines

O'Connell and Ferris ruled out of Argentina clash

Paul O'Connell and Stephen Ferris have both been ruled out of the remainder of Ireland’s autumn international clashes.

Rugby • 12 Nov 12

Ferris returns from injury to start for Ulster

Stephen Ferris has recovered from a back injury and takes his place at blindside flanker for Ulster’s RaboDirect PRO12 encounter with Edinburgh.

Rugby • 01 Nov 12

Ferris and Williams may play against Glasgow

Ulster back-row duo Stephen Ferris and Nick Williams are still in contention to face Glasgow Warriors this Friday after being named in Mark Anscombe’s provisional 28-man squad.

Rugby • 17 Oct 12

Influential trio to miss Ulster's trip to Thomond

Stephen Ferris, Rory Best and Chris Henry will all miss Ulster’s Saturday night RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park.

Rugby • 03 May 12

The loss of Stephen Ferris would be a huge blow to the Ulster men

Ferris makes extended Ulster squad

Brian McLaughlin has included Stephen Ferris in his provisional Ulster squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Munster at Thomond Park at 1.45pm.

Rugby • 04 Apr 12

Stephen Ferris is now a major doubt ahead of Ulster's clash with Munster

Ferris main concern ahead of Heineken clashes

Ulster's Stephen Ferris is the main Irish injury concern ahead of Heineken Cup quarter-finals weekend.

Rugby • 02 Apr 12

Andrew Trimble is tackled by Aironi's Matteo Pratichetti and Carlo Del Fava

Ulster overpower Aironi at Ravenhill

Ulster bolstered their hopes for a RaboDirect PRO12 play-off place by notching up a seventh win from their last eight outings with a victory that gives them the perfect boost ahead of their Heineken Cup quarter-final with Munster.

Rugby • 30 Mar 12

Dylan Hartley has expressed his disappointment at being banned for eight weeks

Hartley disappointed to be banned

Dylan Hartley has expressed his disappointment at the eight-week ban he received for biting the finger of Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris.

Rugby • 28 Mar 12

England's Hartley suspended for eight weeks

England's Dylan Hartley has been suspended for eight weeks after he was cited for biting the finger of flanker Stephen Ferris during the 30-9 RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland on St Patrick's Day.

Six Nations • 27 Mar 12

Dylan Hartley (centre) is at risk of missing England's tour of South Africa

Hartley to learn his fate on Tuesday

England hooker Dylan Hartley will find out on Tuesday if his hopes of making the summer tour to South Africa.

Rugby • 27 Mar 12

Dylan Hartley has been cited for allegedly biting the finger of Ireland's Stephen Ferris

Hartley cited for biting incident

England hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited for allegedly biting the finger of an opponent.

Rugby • 20 Mar 12

Stephen Ferris