Ferris cleared to play against France

Ireland wing-forward Stephen Ferris has been cleared to play in this Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

The decision not to suspend the Ulsterman was taken by an independent championship disciplinary committee at a hearing in London today.

Ferris was cited for a tackle on Ian Evans in the final minute of Ireland’s 21-23 defeat to Wales. He was yellow carded by referee Wayne Barnes and from the subsequent penalty, Leigh Halfpenny was able to land the match-winning penalty for Wales.

Ireland will play France, who got their campaign off to a winning start with a 30-12 victory over Italy at the weekend, at the Stade De France in a Saturday night clash.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney is due to name his selection for the clash at lunchtime tomorrow.

France have already named their team.

With Ferris in the clear, coach Declan Kidney has avoided an enforced reshuffle of his back row for Thursday's team announcement.

Ireland have prevailed just once in Paris since 1972 and Kidney will keep changes to a minimum, despite the disappointing start to the championship.

Keith Earls, who has rejoined the squad this week after his new-born baby daughter was discharged from hospital, is likely to start at outside centre as originally intended.

Fergus McFadden deputised in Earls' absence, but failed to do enough to suggest he should keep the jersey.

Centre Gordon D'Arcy has been criticised for his performance against Wales, but the chances of Kidney dropping his backline's most experienced player in Paris are remote.

Otherwise Ireland's coach faces the same conundrum that presented itself pre-Wales - the identity of the half-backs.

The partnership of Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray was far from assured at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, so Ronan O'Gara and Eoin Reddan could be promoted to the starting line-up.

Determining selection may take longer than normal with Ireland one defeat away from an inglorious conclusion to their title aspirations.

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