Kidney won’t rule out Ferris

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.

However, the odds aren’t so good, with Ferris facing a medical examination in two weeks that could well define his immediate future. Already, he has been ruled out for Ireland’s visit to Scotland on Sunday week.

But Kidney noted the remarkable recovery of Tommy Bowe, whose participation in the remainder of the season was under threat just three weeks ago.