Back row forward Stephen Ferris joined Ulster Rugby at the start of the 2005-06 season on a development contract.

After making his Ulster debut against the Borders in October 2005, Stephen became a regular on the Ulster match day squad and moved to a full contract ahead of the 2006-07 season.

Stephen was a member of the Ireland U21 squad that participated in the World Cup in Argentina in 2005 and in the Autumn of 2006 he made his first start for the senior team against the Pacific Islands.

He was later selected for Ireland for the Argentina tour in June 2007, and since then has become a regular in the Ireland set-up.

Part of the Ireland team that won the Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam in 2009, Stephen was then selected for the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa. He made his Lions debut against the Golden Lions but suffered a knee injury which meant he had to leave the tour early and before becoming a 'Test Lion'.

Since then Stephen has continued to be dogged by injuries and after helping Ulster qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in January 2011, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering another knee injury.

The 2011/12 season was possibly the best of his career. He was one of the standout players for Ireland in the World Cup, exemplified by his performance in the pool stage win over Australia.

He then continued that fine form for Ulster, collecting three Heineken Cup Man of the Match awards, including one in the historic quarter final win over Munster at Thomond Park.

The blindside flank was nominated for ERC European Player of the Year on the back of his Heineken Cup performances, while he also scooped the Personality of the Year award at the Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards Dinner in May 2012.