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Ferris cleared to play in Paris showdown

Stephen Ferris

Stephen Ferris


Published on Wednesday 8 February 2012 23:55

The International Rugby Board’s controversial tip-tackling laws and two of England’s top referees came under further scrutiny yesterday after a Six Nations disciplinary hearing.

Ireland’s Stephen Ferris was cleared of a dangerous tackle on Welsh lock, Ian Evans, during Sunday’s opening Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Ferris was penalised and yellow carded at the time by English referee, Wayne Barnes, for the tackle and the Ulster backrow was later cited by match commissioner, Italian Achille Reali.

The penalty awarded as a result of the tackle saw Leigh Halfpenny convert in almost the final play of the match to give Wales a 23-21 victory.

However, yesterday’s disciplinary panel in London exonerated Ferris of any wrong doing and damned the match official when the panel itself felt the decision taken to award a penalty was incorrect.

Earlier, Wales lock, Bradley Davies was handed a seven week ban for a tip tackle on Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan, which saw Barnes also award a yellow card on the recommendation of his assistant Dave Pearson.

At the time, the offence looked as though it had merited a red card given that Davies had lifted and driven Ryan deliberately into the ground - and Welsh coach, Warren Gatland conceded after the game that he felt it had been a sending off offence.

The fact that yesterday’s disciplinary panel applied the full letter of the law in banning Davies, also points the finger at Pearson, who is to take charge of Ireland’s next game against France on Saturday night in Paris.

Ireland always felt confident Ferris would not receive any further sanction following the citing.

Team manager, Mick Kearney, said: “We are obviously delighted that Stephen has been totally exonerated of any wrongdoing by the disciplinary panel and that he is now available for selection this weekend against France.”

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