Kearney 'hopeful' Ferris will be cleared

Ireland team manager Michael Kearney has said he is “hopeful” that Stephen Ferris will be cleared at a disciplinary committee in London after he was cited for his ’tip tackle’ on Ian Evans on Sunday.

Kearney, who will accompany Ferris to the hearing, said the 26-year-old Ulster flanker was "very disappointed. He’s not a player who has been guilty of any form of foul play in his entire career."

Ferris will appear before an independent disciplinary committee in London at lunchtime tomorrow to explain the incident that unfolded in the final minute of Sunday's thrilling and controversial RBS 6 Nations defeat by Wales at Lansdowne Road.

The challenge resulted in referee Wayne Barnes issuing a yellow card and penalty, which Leigh Halfpenny landed to snatch victory for Wales.

Many observers felt the tackle, in which Ferris picked up Evans by his right leg and dumped him on his side, warranted a penalty at worst.

“He has played 31 times for Ireland and has never received so much as a yellow card," said Kearney.

“The last yellow card he received was more than two years ago (with Ulster) and he has never once received a yellow card for any form of foul play. My view is that it wasn’t a foul. I’ve looked at the footage again.

“Stephen certainly didn’t drive the player up and take both feet off the ground. The player was never on the horizontal, his left foot remained on the ground for the entire incident.

“We’re very disappointed with the card and penalty, but even more disappointed that he’s been cited as well.

“He trained this afternoon and he will get on with it. We’re hopeful he’ll get the right outcome, which is no suspension.”

The failure of Barnes to show Wales lock Bradley Davies a straight red card for a far more alarming example of the same offence 15 minutes earlier has only heightened the feeling of injustice.

Inexplicably, touch judge Dave Pearson, who was perfectly sighted, declined to advise Barnes that Davies should be sent off, instead stating the sin-bin was sufficient punishment.

Even Wales coach Warren Gatland accepted Davies should have been dismissed for the challenge on replacement Donnacha Ryan.

Adding a twist to Saturday’s crucial showdown with France, which Ireland must win if they are to rescue their Six Nations, is that Pearson will be the referee.

Davies, whose hearing is tomorrow morning, and Ferris have been cited for the same offence, which is defined under the International Rugby Board’s Law 10.4 (j).

It states: “Lifting a player from the ground, and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground, is dangerous play.”

While the tip tackles were clearly at different ends of the spectrum, Ferris could be suspended as part of the IRB’s drive to rid the game of such a dangerous offence.

The low end entry level sanction is three weeks, though this can be reduced on such grounds as contrition or a clean disciplinary record.

Tip or spear tackling was brought into sharp focus during the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup when Sam Warburton was shown a red card for upending France winger Vincent Clerc.

Warburton’s dismissal initially provoked outrage, but this was later replaced by an acceptance that referee Alain Rolland had made the correct call.

Ireland have reported no injury concerns from their incident-packed Six Nations opener.

Keith Earls has rejoined the camp after his newborn first child, who was taken ill last week, returned home and should be installed at outside centre against France.

“Keith is back with us and everything is well with his girl, which is great news,” said Kearney. “He’s in very good form and looking forward to the week.”

Earls, along with provincial colleague Denis Leamy, has signed a new contract that will keep him at Munster until 2014.