IRELAND coach Declan Kidney is hoping against hope Stephen Ferris will battle back from a knee injury before the end of the RBS Six Nations Championship.

WITH more than half the Six Nations campaign remaining, Ireland’s casualty list is beginning to cause some concern, but Declan Kidney was at least presented with the boost of a fit-again Donncha O’Callaghan in Killiney yesterday.

MUSGRAVE PARK will host its lowest number of Magners League games since the competition’s inception when Munster Rugby announces its home venues for the 2009/10 campaign later this week.

Ulster are outraged at the prospect of playing most of their Magners League matches on Saturday and Sunday instead of their preferred Friday night option.