Ulster's Stephen Ferris to miss start of season

Irishman Stephen Ferris is to miss the opening rounds of the Pro12 as he recovers from injury.

Ferris has not played since Ulster's 42-14 defeat to Leinster in the Heineken Cup final in May.

"I had two weeks off and then rehabbed my calf, then I came back after another two weeks and there wasn't a problem with that at all," said Ferris.

"Then I got my thumb operated on, so that's not going to give me any hassle this season, that's fixed now.

"As for my knees, I'm really, really strong in that area and getting to somewhere where I was before the knee injury."

The back-rower hopes to make his comeback against Munster on September 14.