Kidney plays it cool

GAMBLING has never come easily to Declan Kidney but there’s a view in the French capital that he’s taking something of a chance with Stephen Ferris by including the Ulster man at number six for today’s crunch RBS Six Nations clash with France.

Ferris has been out of action for the past three weeks with an injury which didn’t look like responding to treatment when the original side was announced on Tuesday. But seemingly a small miracle has been worked in the meantime and it was confirmed last night by Kidney that he will definitely line out today (4.30pm Irish time).

“It is not usual to be talking about younger players being more experienced than older guys, but Stephen’s big-match experience built up over the last 12 months (is something) he can bring with him tomorrow,” claimed the coach.