Kearney confident Ferris will be free to play

The Ireland team management reacted with predictable surprise to news of Stephen Ferris’ citing yesterday but have expressed their confidence that the flanker will still be available to face France in Paris on Saturday.

However, at least one photograph shows Ferris in the process of tackling Wales lock Ian Evans whose two feet are clearly off the ground and, with tip tackles such a hot potato since the Rugby World Cup, it may pay toexpect the worst.

“It is always a worry,” said manager Mick Kearney when that last point was put to him at team HQ in Carton House yesterday, “but we have to let due process run it’s course. It isprobably unfair to comment any further at this stage.”