Kearney named ERC Player of the Year

The prestigious award crowns an outstanding season for the full-back who started every one of Leinster's nine European games as the Irish club triumphed in the Heineken Cup for an unprecedented third time in four years. Kearney succeeds teammate, Sean O'Brien, as the winner of northern hemisphere rugby's ultimate individual accolade.

The 26-year-old scored six tries during the campaign and pushed himself into contention for the honour with a series of high-quality displays in the tournament's pool and knockout stages.

Kearney scored two tries in the quarter-final victory over the Cardiff Blues, then followed that up by creating a try for Cian Healy and landing a superb drop goal in the thrilling semi-final success against ASM Clermont Auvergne, before playing a key role in Leinster's record-breaking 42-14 final win over Ulster Rugby at Twickenham Stadium last Saturday.

Kearney was presented with his award, a specially struck gold medal, by ERC Chief Executive, Derek McGrath, at a ceremony in ERC offices in Dublin today (Monday, 21 May 2012).

"Rob was both rock-solid in defence and inspirational in attack during what was another magnificent Heineken Cup campaign for our 2012 champions, Leinster," said McGrath. "He scored six tries, ran powerfully, kicked superbly and the sheer all-round quality of his performances made him an excellent choice as ERC European Player of the Year 2012."

"It really is an honour to have won this award," said Kearney. "While I am delighted with the recognition, an individual player is powerless without the support of his teammates. So I owe this to the Leinster squad, to the management and to all the backroom staff at the club."

The search for the best player from the 44 clubs in ERC's two tournaments, the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, was undertaken by a Judging Panel which comprised of:

Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Raphael Ibanez (2011/12 Heineken Cup Ambassador), Stephen Jones (Rugby Correspondent, The Sunday Times), Emmanuel Massicard (Editor, Midi Olympique) and Gerry Thornley (Rugby Correspondent, The Irish Times).

The expert panel was presented with a longlist at the conclusion of the pool stages in both tournaments, and after the quarter-finals and semi-finals, that list was pared down to the following five players:

• Stephen Ferris (Back-row, Ulster Rugby)

• Rob Kearney (Full-back, Leinster Rugby)

• Ruan Pienaar (Scrum-half, Ulster Rugby)

• Jonathan Sexton (Out-half, Leinster Rugby)

• Jonny Wilkinson (Out-half, RC Toulon)

The shortlist was also forwarded to the 44 clubs, and their recommendations, as well as those of European club rugby supporters who voted on Twitter @ercrugby and on the tournaments' Facebook pages, were factored into the deliberations of the panel which reconvened in London, host city for the two European finals, to complete the selection process. The winner was then confirmed after the finals.

In 2010, ERC launched the highly-acclaimed ERC15 Awards, recognising the efforts of a number of outstanding contributors to the first decade and a half of European club rugby competition. Two-time Heineken Cup winner, Ronan O'Gara (Munster Rugby), was the inaugural recipient of the ERC European Player honour as the best player over the first 15 years of the two tournaments, and last year, Sean O'Brien (Leinster Rugby), was voted ERC European Player of the Year 2011.

FACTFILE

Born: 26 March 1986, Dundalk, County Louth

Height: 1.85m / 6'1"

Weight: 95kg / 14st 13lbs

School: Clongowes Wood College

Province: Leinster Rugby

Club: University College Dublin

Heineken Cup appearances: 43

Ireland caps: 38

British & Irish Lions tests: 3 (v South Africa, 2009)

Ferris Believes Final Beckons

Stephen Ferris faces Edinburgh at Aviva Stadium

MoM Ferris Credits Ulster Defence

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris said a strong defence was key to the 22-16 win over Munster in Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final in Limerick.

Ferris, who was named man of the match, overcame an ankle injury to put in another impressive display.

"Our defence won it - I don't think they had a line break in the whole game and as a team we were outstanding in that area," said Ferris.

"It was a great team effort and we've put out a statement to European rugby."

Ulster face Edinburgh in the semi-finals in Dublin on 28 April.

He added: "The Munster boys came out at us and with the crowd behind them we knew it was going to be a long afternoon.

"But we made a terrific start with Ruan (Pienaar) kicking the penalties over.

"Edinburgh have showed they are a good side and it's going to be tough, but we're looking forward to it."

Munster captain Paul O'Connell believes his team failed to make the most of their possession.

"We conceded 19 points early in the game and gave ourselves a massive hill to climb," said the Ireland lock.

"We probably had enough possession to climb that hill but we didn't do enough with it.

"We made a lot of mistakes and from this lost territory and momentum.

Ferris Faces Big Munster Test

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has been named in the team to face Munster in the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Ferris has received treatment on an ankle injury and coach Brian McLaughlin said he was "hopeful" he would be play in the Thomond Park clash.

Lock Dan Tuohy replaces Lewis Stevenson in the only Ulster change.

Munster make seven changes with Mike Sherry, Tommy O'Donnell, Denis Hurley, Conor Murray, Wian du Preez, Paul O'Connell and Donnacha Ryan coming in.

Munster coach Tony McGahan hands first Heineken Cup starts to hooker Sherry and wing-forward O'Donnell.

“He brings a great deal to this team and gives the players around him a massive lift”Brian McLaughlinUlster coach

Sherry made three Heineken Cup appearances from the bench last season while O'Donnell's only appearance at this level came when he replaced James Coughlan in the 77th minute of the game against Scarlets in December.

O'Donnell is preferred to David Wallace, who is named on the bench.

Prop Wian du Preez starts his seventh consecutive Heineken Cup game while Ireland locks Donnacha Ryan and Paul O'Connell return from injury.

Centre Nevin Spence replaces Ian Whitten in the Ulster replacements.

"It will be an unbelievably physical battle," said McLaughlin.

"Munster will be smarting from their defeat to Leinster and they will want to make up for that by beating us.

"Stephen will play subject to fitness. At this stage we are hopeful that he will be available and a lot of credit should go to our medical team and physios for getting him into this position.

"He brings a great deal to this team and gives the players around him a massive lift. That is what we need going into a game like this.

""We are as close to full strength as possible so it wasn't an easy job picking the squad. We only have 23 slots and there are a few disappointed boys.

"Everyone has been working hard over the past few months and some are unlucky to miss out."

Ferris limped off during the first half of last Friday's Pro12 win over Aironi at Ravenhill.

A scan on Monday revealed that Ferris had sustained significant ligament and muscle damage.

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo; R O'Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O'Connell; P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan.

Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, S Archer, D O'Callaghan, D Wallace, T O'Leary, I Keatley, J Murphy.

Ulster: S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg.

Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, N Spence, A D'Arcy.

Ferris Named for Munster Clash

Munster and Ulster do battle in an all-Irish Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park - and both sides have much to prove.

The hosts have a fantastic record in Europe's premier club competition but go into the knockout contest off the back of two defeats in their last three outings.

They also lost the last time the two teams met - Ulster came out on top 33-17 at Ravenhill in RaboDirect PRO12 action earlier in the campaign.

However, that impressive December win came when Tony McGahan's outfit were without their first-choice Ireland internationals, so the visitors will want to prove that it was no one-off.

Reaction

Munster boss McGahan has reacted to last week's loss to Leinster by making seven changes to his side, handing first Heineken Cup starts to hooker Mike Sherry and flank Tommy O'Donnell.

In the backs, there are two changes; Denis Hurley, who is back from injury, and Conor Murray replace Johne Murphy and Tomas O'Leary, the latter duo having to make do with a place on the bench.

Up front, Wian du Preez starts his seventh consecutive Heineken Cup game and Donnacha Ryan and Paul O'Connell return from injury. Peter O'Mahony switches from seven to six and O'Donnell is preferred to David Wallace.

Ulster have made just one change to the starting team that registered a 45-7 victory over Aironi last Friday - Dan Tuohy returns to partner Johann Muller.

There's also an alteration to their list of replacements, Nevin Spence being drafted in at the expense of Ian Whitten.

Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Denis Hurley, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Wian du Preez.

Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 David Wallace, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Johne Murphy.

Ulster: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.

Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Willie Faloon, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Nevin Spence, 23 Adam D'Arcy.

Ferris Fails Fitness for Munster

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has been rated a major doubt for Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster because of an ankle injury.

The Ireland and Lions star limped off during the first half of Friday's Pro12 win over Aironi on Friday night.

A scan on Monday revealed that Ferris had significant ligament and muscle damage, making him unlikely to be fit for the Thomond Park showdown.

The loss of Ferris would be a huge blow to Ulster's prospects.

If he is ruled out, it would be the second year in a row Ferris has missed the European quarter-finals.

A serious knee injury, sustained against Aironi, forced him to sit out the 2011 last eight defeat away to Northampton.

If Ferris is ruled out, Willie Faloon, who came on for Ferris against Aironi, is expected to be drafted into the starting line-up with Chris Henry switching to blindside flanker.

Munster appear to have better news on the injury front with Paul O'Connell, Conor Murray, Donnacha Ryan and Keith Earls are expected to be available.

O'Connell and Murray have both been out of action since sustaining knee injuries in the Six Nations clash against France but have returned to training along with Donnacha Ryan.

Keith Earls is also set to be fit after sustaining a knock in Saturday's defeat by Leinster.

Hartley Handed Eight Week Ban

England hooker Dylan Hartley has been handed an eight-week ban for biting the finger of Ireland's Stephen Ferris.

The Northampton skipper will not be able to play until 14 May, meaning he is free to take part in England's June tour to South Africa if selected.

Ireland flanker Ferris drew attention to the incident during England's 30-9 Six Nations victory on 17 March, but it was not spotted by referee Nigel Owens.

"I am disappointed by the result," said Hartley, who may decide to appeal.

"I will wait for the written judgment as to how the panel came to their conclusion.

"I now have to put it behind me and focus on supporting Saints in training and off the field."

Hartley has been ruled out of the rest of the regular domestic season but he could return if Saints reach the Premiership final on 26 May.

The lowest suspension for biting is 12 weeks, with a maximum sanction of four years.

But an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee decided Hartley's case was worthy of a lesser punishment after Tuesday's hearing.

"The offence merited a low entry point in the International Rugby Board's table of sanctions and allowed mitigation of four weeks," said a statement released by the committee.

The panel listened to evidence from both Hartley and Ferris, who spoke via videolink, while England forwards coach Graham Rowntree and Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder also represented their player.

Rowntree said: "It is unfortunate for Dylan and Northampton, especially as he was in good form during the Six Nations, and he has developed as a player and a leader.

"However, we are looking forward to him being available for the tour to South Africa."

Mallinder added: "We are disappointed that Dylan has been suspended, especially at a crucial part of the season."

It is the second time Hartley has received a lengthy suspension from the game. He received a six-month ban for eye gouging while playing for Northampton against Wasps in 2007.

Dylan Hartley Cited by 6 Nations

England hooker Dylan Hartley has been cited for an alleged biting incident during the Six Nations match against Ireland on Saturday.

The Irish flanker Stephen Ferris drew attention to it during the first half of the match, but the referee Nigel Owens did not see anything himself.

The lowest suspension for biting is 12 weeks, the top entry level 24 weeks, with a maximum sanction of four years.

The player's hearing will be held by an independent disciplinary committee.

A Six Nations statement confirmed he was cited under the law regarding "acts contrary to good sportsmanship".

Hartley had a six-month ban for eye gouging while playing for Northampton against Wasps in 2007.

The Rugby Football Union issued a brief statement following Hartley's citing, saying: "The England management have been formally notified about the citing of Dylan Hartley and will not be making any comment until the resolution of the disciplinary hearing."

Ferris Says England Bad Losers

Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has accused England of being "bad losers" ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The Irish have won seven of the previous eight meetings in the Six Nations but Ferris insists that the England game remains the prize scalp.

"They're a good side and are full of winners, but when they lose they don't like it," said Ferris.

"They're bad losers and hopefully they'll be bad losers on Saturday."

Ferris believes that a series of defeats against the English during his youth international days has led to his huge motivation for the fixture.

"We took so many beatings from England at under-age level.

"Any time we played Under-18s, -19s or -20s we always received a thumping. I never beat them.

"They come with bit of a tag about being arrogant and if you asked any team they'd probably say the same thing."

Ferris stresses that he is on good terms with those England players he met while on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa and admires what they have achieved in this Six Nations under interim head coach Stuart Lancaster.

Under Lancaster's guidance, England have beaten France in Paris, narrowly lost to Grand Slam-chasing Wales and retain an outside chance of winning the title.

"I went on the Lions tour and got to know a few of England's players," said Ferris.

"I got on so well with them and had an awful lot of respect for them. I became good friends with some of them.

"England are a good side at the moment and are very hard to break down.

"Saturday will be two good teams going against each other, but we're also looking forward to getting that result."

Ferris Looking for Aviva Fortress

Stephen Ferris says Ireland must begin the process of turning the Aviva Stadium into a fortress by clinically dispatching Italy in Saturday's Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Ireland have lost six out of nine games at the rebuilt Lansdowne Road since returning to the south Dublin venue.

"New Zealand are the only team who have really beaten us. In the rest of the games we probably beat ourselves," said the 26-year-old.

"We've let teams off the hook."

Ferris added: "We need to be a bit smarter and when we do have our foot on opponents' throats, we should keep it there.

"We need to be a bit more clinical and grind it out when we need to.

"We had the opportunity to do that against Wales three weeks ago .

"We wouldn't be talking about this if we had beaten Wales."

Ferris identifies the impressive home record of his province Ulster, who have not been toppled at Ravenhill since early October, as an example of the attitude that should be adopted.

"With Ulster we drive up to Ravenhill on a Friday night knowing we're going to win," he said.

"We also need to be driving on the bus to the Aviva knowing that we're going to win.

"That's the feeling you have to get at your home stadium and it comes with results, big victories and strong performances. We should start that this weekend."

The clash with Italy begins a schedule of four matches in 22 games, forced by the weather-postponed game against France .

It means Ireland will have waited three weeks for the opportunity to atone for the 23-21 loss to Wales that opened their Six Nations campaign in such disappointing fashion.

"Everybody's itching to play a game of rugby," Ferris said.

"A few lads had a run out for their provinces last weekend but most of us haven't played for a while.

"There's no doubt four successive Test matches will be very physically demanding, but we're used to it.

"We did it at the World Cup and we play week in week out for the provinces.

"Speaking with all the players after the France game was postponed, it was never an issue for anyone."

Ireland met Italy twice last year, winning on both occasions in games of contrasting difficulty.

In Rome the Irish needed a late Ronan O'Gara drop-goal to escape with 13-11 victory, while at the World Cup they emerged impressive 36-6 winners.

"Italy have played well so far in this Six Nations and have been unlucky not to get a result in their two games," added Ferris.

"It will be a tough day at the office, we know that. It's very important that we win and get things rolling again."

IRB Back Barnes over Ferris

The International Rugby Board and Six Nations have backed Referee Wayne Barnes over the penalty decision that led to Ireland's Stephen Ferris being yellow carded during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium on February 5th. 

While an Independent Six Nations Disciplinary Panel did not ultimately uphold the citing, the IRB’s match officials performance review endorsed Barnes' decision to award a penalty. 

 On first viewing the panel could understand exactly how the match referee came to his decision. In dismissing the citing no criticism of the referee’s on field decision should be taken or inferred. It was only after careful and prolonged analysis of the dynamics of the contact, including slow motion and step by step viewing, that the committee was able to see the strength of the submissions made in favour of Stephen Ferris. 

All match officials are selected for International competition on merit. 

Performances are reviewed on an ongoing basis and taken into consideration when appointments are made for future international competitions.

Ferris Cleared for Paris

Stephen Ferris will be available for Ireland's Six Nations clash against France after escaping a ban in a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

The flanker had been cited for his tackle on Wales forward Ian Evans in the closing minutes of Sunday's defeat.

Ferris was yellow-carded for the tackle which led to Leigh Halfpenny's match-winning penalty at the Aviva Stadium.

However, Ferris was not handed any further penalty at a hearing in London so he can play on Saturday in Paris.

"The committee, after careful analysis of the video evidence and consideration of the player's and his representative's explanation of the tackle, did not uphold the citing," said a Six Nations statement.

Earlier on Wednesday, Wales lock Bradley Davies received a seven-week ban for his tackle on Ireland's Donnacha Ryan in the same match which will rule the Welshman out of the remainder of the Six Nations.

Both Ferris and Davies were reported by match citing commissioner, Italian Achille Reali.

The Ferris case hearing was chaired by Antony Davies of the RFU, who ruled along with Scotland's Douglas Hunter and English official John Doubleday.

Ulster and Ireland team-mate Rory Best came to Ferris's defence after Sunday's game when he said that the player's sin-binning had been harsh.

"Anyone that knows Stephen knows that he tackles very, very hard but very, very fair," said Best.

"This was just a prime example of how he hits. There was nothing illegal about it."