IRELAND RECEIVE FERRIS BOOST
Stephen Ferris
IRELAND and Ulster backrow, Stephen Ferris, was exonerated yesterday by a Six Nations disciplinary panel for any alleged misdemeanor from his tackle on Welsh lock, Ian Evans, during Sunday’s match in Dublin.
Ferris was cleared of ‘tip tackling’ Evans after he was cited by match commissioner, Italian Achille Reali, at a disciplinary hearing in London yesterday.
The panel had earlier slapped a seven week ban on Welsh lock, Bradley Davies, for a similar citing following a tackle on Ireland replacement second Donnacha Ryan.
Davies and Ferris had both been yellow carded by English referee, Wayne Barnes, the former on the recommendation of assistant referee, Dave Pearson, as Barnes was unsighted.
Both incidents had sparked much debate over the controversial tip-tackle law, brought to the fore at last year’s Rugby World Cup when Wales’ Sam Warburton was sent off by Ireland official Alain Rolland in the semi-final clash against France.
However, the decisions of the disciplinary panel yesterday will add further to the debate and has also brought into question the top two English referees.
Davies’ citing had been expected – his tackle on Ryan was off the ball and he drove the Irish player into the ground having lifted him – but there had been surprise at the citing of Ferris.
Indeed, it was argued at the time there was nothing wrong with Ferris’ tackle and Wales should not have been awarded the penalty which ultimately saw Leigh Halfpenny kick to snatch the 23-21 victory in the closing seconds of the match.
Following analysis of the video evidence and consideration of the explanation for the tackle, the three man disciplinary panel chose not to uphold the citing.
However, they went further to say that the tackle did not merit a penalty, which effectively exonerated the Ulster player – but it did not help the mood in the camp as their Grand Slam, Triple Crown and probable Six Nations Championship hopes had gone up in smoke in defeat to the Welsh.
Ireland manager Michael Kearney said: “While we understand and fully support the stance to stamp out dangerous tackles in the game to make it safe at all levels, the disciplinary panel itself felt that the decision to award a penalty was incorrect and we also felt that it was a fair and legitimate tackle by Stephen.
“He is a hard and fair player and I think that his previous disciplinary record supports why we felt so strongly about his defence.
Crucially for Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, with the key backrow player in the clear, he can now avoid a reshuffle of his backrow when he announces his team for the game against the France.
Ireland have prevailed just once in Paris since 1972 and Kidney will keep changes to a minimum, in spite of the disappointing start to the championship.
Keith Earls, who has rejoined the squad this week after his new-born baby daughter was discharged from hospital, is likely to start at outside centre as originally intended.
Fergus McFadden deputised in Earls’ absence, but failed to do enough to suggest he should keep the jersey.
Centre Gordon D’Arcy has been criticised for his performance against Wales, but the chances of Kidney dropping his backline’s most experienced player in Paris are remote.
Otherwise Ireland’s coach faces the same conundrum that presented itself pre-Wales – the identity of the half-backs.
The partnership of Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray was far from assured at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, so Ronan O’Gara and Eoin Reddan could be promoted to the starting line-up.
Determining selection may take longer than normal with Ireland one defeat away from an inglorious conclusion to their title aspirations.
Losing to Wales has piled the pressure on for Saturday night and Kidney knows they must topple France if they are to remain relevant.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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