Sport

Head-to-head: Stephen Ferris v Seán O’Brien

Compiled by GERRY THORNLEY

Thu May 17 2012 - 01:00

Compiled by GERRY THORNLEY

SEÁN O’BRIEN

DOB: Feb 14th, 1987.

Birthplace: Carlow.

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Height: 1.88m (6ft 2in).

Weight: 108kg (17st).

Position: Blindside.

Honours: Ireland (19 caps)

Ferris (26) would have been a Lions Test starter three years ago but for injury and, sidelined for much of last term, is a man on a mission this season. He went to the RWC a bigger beast and intent on being the world’s best backrower, continuing in the same vein in the Six Nations and the Heineken Cup (making close on 20 tackles per game). Hindered in semi, but refreshed by two week’ break.

O’Brien (25) has become much more of a selfless team player compared to the rampaging ball-carrier of last season who helped carry Leinster to the Heineken Cup and was named the ERC European Player of the Year. After Second Season Syndrome (all, bar O’Driscoll, suffer it) there have been clear signs of rejuvenation in recent games. All round, arguably Leinster’s best forward.

INFLUENCE

Ferris: In terms of Ulster’s ebb and flow of psychic energy, Ferris’s is bigger. When he leads the line up for one of his bear-hugging impact hits, or makes one of his barnstorming carries, it energises team-mates and supporters alike. Crucially, he also tends to be used in wider midfield channels than with Ireland.

O’Brien: Regardless of where he starts on Saturday, ultimately O’Brien is liable to play at both six and seven over the 80. His strong carrying, fringe defending and breakdown work in the quarter-final, especially after switching to openside in the last quarter, made him the undetected man of the match.

HISTORY

Much more soldiers in arms than enemies, they have only opposed each other once, for 69 minutes, in Ferris’ last outing against Leinster in December ’08, when Leinster won 21-13 at Ravenhill. Ferris has missed the subsequent eight meetings, whereas O’Brien has played in seven of them.

But they have played together on Ireland sides 10 times, and started seven, beginning with the epic World Cup pool win over Australia. From the youths route, brickie v farmer, these two human wrecking balls are also kindred spirits, and have struck up the closest of bonds.

“With those two, they’re roomies too, every Irish camp they’ve been rooming together – I’d hate to think what goes on in there!” says Mike Ross. “But no, they’ll be wanting to put one over each other, to have bragging rights. It should be interesting to see what happens on Saturday. I’m sure they’ll be charging down each other’s channel.”

STEPHEN FERRIS

DOB: August 2nd, 1985.

Birthplace: Portadown.

Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in).

Weight: 109kg (17st 2lbs.

Position: Blindside.

Honours: Ireland (35 caps)

LIKELY OUTCOME

“Irresistible force meets immovable object, isn’t it?” ventures Ross. Which one is which? “I’ll leave you to work that one out.” At 6ft 4in and 109kg/17st 2lbs, Ferris is marginally bigger than O’Brien (6ft 2in and 108kg/17st) and Leinster will need to take a leaf out of the Welsh template for stopping O’Brien; namely chop “Fez” down low. The thing is, if they do, their rewards may be greater than Ferris and co stopping O’Brien. But when they bump into each other, it really is liable to be seismic. Even team-mates will watch.