Controversy over Ferris tackle rumbles on

By Brendan Cole

Declan Kidney will pick his Ireland team to face France this afternoon as controversy surrounding Wales’ late victory over Ireland continues to rumble on.

After that home defeat on Sunday, Ireland are under severe pressure heading to France for their round two clash in a city where they have only won twice since 1952.

Wales snatched a 21-23 victory after a late penalty given by referee Wayne Barnes of England, for a tackle by Stephen Ferris on Wales lock Ian Evans, was put over by Leigh Halfpenny.

Many observers felt that penalty should not have been awarded, though Ferris was cited for the tackle and appeared at a hearing of the independent 6 Nations disciplinary committee in London yesterday.

According to Ireland team manager Michael Kearney, after considering the evidence the committee decided that they were also of the view that no penalty should have been awarded.

Kearney added that the committee felt that the tackle by Ferris on Wales lock Ian Evans had been 'fair and legitimate'.

He said: "We are obviously delighted that Stephen has been totally exonerated of any wrongdoing by the disciplinary committee and that he is now available for selection this weekend against France.

"While we understand and fully support the stance to stamp out dangerous tackles in the game to make it safe at all levels, the disciplinary committee itself felt that the decision to award a penalty was incorrect and we also felt that it was a fair and legitimate tackle by Stephen.

"He is a hard and fair player and I think that his previous disciplinary record supports why we felt so strongly about his defence. The focus now for Stephen and the rest of the squad is to prepare for the game against France this weekend."

Ferris’ availability means Kidney will be able to stick with the same back-row that started against Wales with Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip likely to continue. Change is also unlikely in the front row where Mike Ross, Rory Best and Cian Healy look set to continue.

Donnacha Ryan could come into the reckoning for the starting place alongside Paul O’Connell at lock after an eye-catching cameo on Sunday.

After withdrawing for personal reasons from the starting XV to play Wales on the Friday before the game, Keith Earls is available for selection again and is likely to take over from Fergus McFadden at outside-centre.

Ireland may also consider changes at half-back after struggling for control against Wales with Ronan O'Gara and Eoin Reddan the options to replace Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton.

The back three of Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe is likely to remain in situ, but the need to improve the midfield defence could see Gordon D’Arcy’s starting place at inside centre come under threat.

The Ireland team to play France will be revealed at lunchtime today.

Follow all the RBS 6 Nations action this weekend on RTÉ.ie/Sport with our live Matchtrackers and live streaming of RTÉ's TV (Ireland only) and Radio (Worldwide) coverage of the matches. WEB-ONLY coverage of France U20 v Ireland U20 from 1.50pm on Saturday.