Stephen Ferris believes Ulster fans will grow disillusioned with the club if their contingent of Leinster based players continues to grow.

Out halves Joey Carberry and Ross Byrne have been linked with a move up north as the province attempt to replace the departed Paddy Jackson.

Should Byrne arrive, Ulster’s collection of players born in the south of the country will increase even further. 

And speaking to OTB AM, former Ulster flanker Ferris insists the tendency to look further from home is distancing the club from its fans.   

“It’s something that I’ve touched on with Irish qualified players who are from South Africa,” Ferris said.

“Guys like Wiehann Herbst, Rob Herring, Robbie Diack and Sean Reidy, yes they’re Irish qualified, but they’re not born and bred Ulstermen.

“For me, growing up and playing Ulster 18s, 19s, 21s – going through the whole system – there just doesn’t seem to be as many of those guys coming through.

“And I know there’s a lot of hard work being done in the academy but I think everyone is just looking at what Leinster are doing and [are] expecting the same. And I think Ulster fans have got to be patient.

“But it is frustrating. You’ve guys like Alan O’Connor who would die to be in an Ulster shirt but he’s born and bred in Leinster. You’ve Clive Ross, again he’s not from up north, and then you’re bringing in Marty Moore, then you’ve got Jordi Murphy and John Cooney – there’s a third of your team that are from down south.

“And if you bring in an out half as well, then the fans start to go: are we going to watch Ulster or are we going to watch Leinster B? That’s what people talk about and it’s sad to say it.”

Written by James Hopper