Rugby: Tommy Bowe is on course to make his Ireland comeback in the Six Nations clash with Scotland on Sunday week, but Stephen Ferris has been ruled out of the third championship game and could well miss the remainder of the tournament.
The latter has been struggling with a knee injury and his recovery is a slow process. He will meet with a surgeon in two weeks from now to determine the best course of action.
“If he does miss (the tournament), he misses it," said Declan Kidney today. "If he’s back, that will be a bonus to us."
Bowe has also been out with a knee injury since mid-January but returned to full training with the Ospreys this week and the region hope he will participate in Saturday’s Magners League clash with Benetton Treviso.
“We’ve been monitoring Tommy very closely over the last month and have been in close consultation with the IRFU management over his progress,” said Ospreys head physio Chris Towers. "He has made considerable progress over the last couple of weeks and he’s completed high-level functional sessions without any adverse reactions.
“As such, we’re looking to reintroduce Tommy to team training this week with a view to making him available for selection on Saturday. If everything is positive, he will then be able to return to Ireland camp and be involved in their remaining Six Nations fixtures.”
Bowe has been one of Ireland’s key players over the last two seasons and his return will be a boost after the 25-22 defeat to France last Sunday, but Kidney insists he has faith in those who have played so far.
“Tommy is obviously a top player but I’m more than happy with the way Fergus (McFadden) and Keith (Earls) have done on the wings,” said Kidney. “I showed that by leaving someone like Andrew (Trimble) out, who has been playing well as well.
“That’s sport, you just take one week at a time. This week Tommy and Andrew will get a go, and then we’ll have good choices to make for the following weekend.”
