Ireland's match next weekend in Murrayfield has received a boost after claims that both Tommy Bowe and Stephen Ferris will now be in position to face the Scots.

Both Irish rugby stars were sidelined during the first two games of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign with knee injuries.

But it now appears that the duo could regain match fitness during the tournament’s rest week.

The Irish team will link up in Cork tomorrow ahead of a training session on Thursday.

Currently it is not known if Stephen Ferris will feature in Ulster’s meeting with the Llanelli Scarlets on Friday evening, but Irish medics are hoping that he will continue to improve over the next ten days.

Meanwhile Bowe is predicted to stay with the Ospreys, possibly to score some match practice at the weekend, when the Welsh side travel to Treviso for on Saturday.

With his eye on the coming season Irish coach Declan Kidney has allowed the replacements from the French game to return to their clubs to pick up some much-needed match practice.