Ferris escapes sanction

Ireland's Stephen Ferris has been cleared of wrongdoing by a Six Nations disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

The citing made against Ferris - following his team's heartbreaking 21-23 loss in Dublin - was not upheld.

The independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee - chaired by Antony Davies (England) together with Douglas Hunter (Scotland) and John Doubleday (England) - met to consider a citing complaint under Law 10.4(j).

He was cited by Achille Reali (Italy) the independent Citing Commissioner appointed for the Six Nations match between Ireland and Wales in Dublin last week.

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

"The Committee, after careful analysis of the video evidence and consideration of the player's and his representative's explanation of the tackle, did not uphold the citing," a statement said.

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

It means Ferris is available for Ireland's clash with France on Saturday.

Ferris reacted to the decision on Twitter, saying: "Thank goodness that is all over. Happy man."

With Ferris in the clear, coach Declan Kidney has avoided an enforced reshuffle of his back row.