Ulster star Stephen Ferris says Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Munster ranks among his career highlights.
The brilliant blindside has already hit the heights of a tour with the Lions three years ago, although he was unlucky to miss out on a Test place against the Springboks due to a knee injury.
Ferris also tasted Grand Slam glory with Ireland the same year and has gone on to appear in a World Cup and won 35 caps along the way.
Those achievements stand out above the rest for the 26-year-old but making it through to the final four of Europe’s premier club competition has to figure highly as far as his club career is concerned.
"It's up there, it certainly was a massive highlight for me,” said Ferris, who will surely play a huge role in deciding the outcome of Ulster’s semi-final clash with Edinburgh at the Aviva Stadium on April 28.
"But of course it can get better when you win a semi-final or win a Heineken Cup.
"Playing at the Aviva for my club is something I've never done before and hopefully the Ulster fans will get behind us once more."
Ferris only just made it to kick-off in the quarter-final, with an ankle knock threatening to rule him out of the high-profile fixture.
He played through the pain barrier to put in a man-of-the-match display and is now targeting more of the same in the semis.
"It was a great team effort and we've put out a statement to European rugby," added Ferris.
"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.
"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.
"Everybody was asking me before the game, "How's the ankle?" I was saying, 'it's 100% – minus 20!'
"I didn't get the run-out I wanted last week (against Aironi) but I worked hard to get myself fit. I have a few niggles now – a sore shoulder and a sore ankle – but nothing will keep me out of the semi-final."
