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Thursday, 25 February 2010

'I don't want any trouble' - Ferris

Recent events suggest Stephen Ferris has become a marked man, but the Ireland flanker insists he has never gone looking for trouble.

Ferris has established a reputation as Ireland's back-row enforcer and will be one of England's most feared opponents in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash at Twickenham.

But over the past two months the Ulster hardman has been the victim of three incidents of foul play - including eye-gouging - which have earnt the perpetrators a combined suspension of 100 weeks.

Stade Francais prop David Attoub was punished with a 70-week ban for eye-gouging, while club team-mate Julien Dupuy was give 23 weeks for the same offence in the same match.

Bath's Danny Grewcock - a disciplinary hearing regular - then received a seven-week ban for stamping on Ferris' arm last month.

The incidents have led to speculation about whether Ferris is being specifically targeted and why, but the 24-year-old sees no connection between the incidents.

"The Stade game was a case of two for one. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

"I don't know how to get under players' skins, that's for sure. I like to let my play do the talking. Maybe it's done a bit out of respect."

Ferris added: "I've played with a good few of the English lads out on the Lions tour.

"I know how they will play and there's no doubt most of them will have respect for us, that's for sure."

English admiration may be guaranteed thanks to the presence of Ferris, Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll - among others - but restoring self-respect is high on Ireland's agenda.

The champions saw their Grand Slam defence crumble with a 33-10 defeat in Paris nearly two weeks ago.

France were outstanding, but the manner in which Ireland were blown away exposed a worrying gulf in class and their Six Nations will unravel further should they succumb to England.

The loss at the Stade de France concluded a highly successful 12-match, 15-month run dating back to November 2008.