IRELAND’S STEPHEN FERRIS has been cleared of a citing charge at a disciplinary hearing in London.

The decision by an independent Six Nations committee means the Ulster man is free to face France in Paris on Saturday night.

Ferris was yellow carded in the final moments of the Six Nations opener with Wales on Sunday afternoon for a dump tackle on Ian Evans. Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny then kicked the late, winning penalty.

“Thank goodness that is all over. Happy man,” Ferris tweeted following this afternoon’s hearing.

Earlier today, Welsh lock Bradley Davies learned that he will miss the rest of this year’s tournament to serve a seven-week ban for his tackle on Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan.

Replays showed that Davies clearly lifted and inverted Ryan before dropping him from a height. A statement from the disciplinary committee today said that the incident “merited a top end entry to the IRB’s table of sanctions.”

Here are the two flashpoints:

YouTube Credit: EllliotJack1

Ireland coach Declan Kidney will name his side for the daunting trip to France tomorrow.

Game over: Bradley Davies banned for the rest of the Six Nations

Back to the drawing board: Ireland squad train ahead of Paris trip