Rugby: The bad news keeps coming for Ireland coach Declan Kidney, with Ulster backrow Stephen Ferris the latest frontliner to be ruled out of the Six Nations opener against Italy.
The flanker was this evening “confirmed as unfit for selection” by the IRFU after consultation with a knee specialist.
After sustaining the “cartilage injury to his right knee” against Aironi in the Heineken Cup last weekend, the Ulsterman sat out training in Limerick during the week.
“The knee did not respond to the rest period and Ferris was referred to the knee specialist, who confirmed yesterday evening that while the injury did not require surgery, he would not be available for the Italy game,” explained an IRFU statement.
“Ferris will continue with his rehabilitation and while there remains a doubt regarding his availability for the France game, he has not been ruled out of a return to play in time for selection.”
Kidney is already without number eight Jamie Heaslip and Tommy Bowe for the February 5th fixture in the Stadio Flaminio, while John Hayes, Shane Horgan, Geordan Murphy, Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney and Jerry Flannery are set to miss part of, or the entire, tournament.
