Ferris to miss rest of Six Nations

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has been ruled out for the rest of this year's RBS Six Nations campaign.

Ferris has been struggling with a persistent knee problem, which he aggravated while on Heineken Cup duty for his province against Aironi.

The 26-year-old is to see a consultant in London to examine the true extent of the problem but has been told he will play no part in the remainder of this season's Six Nations.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney also has concerns over the availability of Tomas O'Leary.

O'Leary is continuing his rehab from his ongoing back problem and at this stage has not been ruled out of the games with Wales and England.

Mike Ross set to remain with Leinster

Ireland tighthead Mike Ross is set to remain with Leinster despite speculation linking him with a move to Munster, according to a report.

Cork-born Ross began his top level rugby career with Munster but left the province after failing to win a contract there. He established himself as a professional prop with Harlequins in England before moving to Leinster in 2009.

Tony Buckley's decision to leave Munster for Sale Sharks at the end of the season and Leinster's imminent acquisition of Connacht prop Jamie Hagan have fuelled speculation that Ross is set to leave.

But a Leinster source told the Irish Times that they would be 'very disappointed' if Ross decided to move to Munster.

Ross, who has started both of Ireland's RBS 6 Nations so far in this campaign, is currently negotiating a new deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union and it is understood he has said wants to remain at Leinster.

Caldwell to leave Ulster for Bath

Bath have announced the signing of Ireland international lock Ryan Caldwell with Harlequins' Lewis Stevenson set to move to join the province.

Caldwell, 25, has agreed a two-year deal and will move to the Recreation Ground from Ulster this summer.

He has made 79 appearances for Ulster and was capped twice during Ireland's tour to the USA and Canada in 2009.

Bath rugby director Ian McGeechan said: 'Ryan will be a very good addition to the club.

'He has very good skills already, and he will develop these further as he matures. He is a big, powerful young lock, and so will create some real problems for the opposition.'

Caldwell follows another new second-row addition to the Bath squad, England international Dave Attwood, who has been recruited from Gloucester for next season.

Ulster have signed Stevenson as a replacement for Caldwell, who has been released a year early from his contract.

Bowe back in full training with Ospreys

Ireland wing Tommy Bowe has returned to full training with club side the Ospreys and could be back in Magners League action as early as this weekend.

Bowe has missed both of Ireland's RBS 6 Nations fixtures - a last gasp win over Italy in the opener and a narrow defeat to France last week - so far due to a knee problem.

But the Monaghan native could be involved in Saturday's Magners League game, an away clash with Italian side Benetton Treviso. He has been absent since the middle of January and missed the end of the Ospreys Heineken Cup campaign.

Ospreys head physio Chris Towers said on the club website that the Irish Rugby Football Union and the club were both involved in managing Bowe's injury.

He said: 'We've been monitoring Tommy very closely over the last month, as well as being in close consultation with the IRFU management regards his progress.

'He has made considerable progress over the last couple of weeks, up to the point where we've been able to get him up to high level functional sessions without any adverse reactions.'

Tony Buckley to join Sale Sharks and Mike Ross may join Munster.

Ireland and Munster prop Tony Buckley has signed a three-year deal to join Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks from the start of next season.

Commenting on his move to England next season, Buckley said: 'I felt I needed a new challenge. I believe the best club to give me that challenge and also help me become a better player is Sale Sharks. They are hungry and ambitious for success and I want to be a part of that.

'However, at this moment in time, I am a Munster player until the end of June. My priorities for now are to help Munster achieve success in the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Magners League and to regain a place in the Irish squad.'

Buckley's move could pave the way for Mike Ross to return to Munster. Ross began his career with the southern province before moving to English Premiership side Harlequins and then joining Leinster.

It has been suggested that Ireland tighthead Ross will move back to Munster at the end of this year with current Connacht tighthead Jamie Hagan set for a return to Leinster.

Ulster squad named for trip to Ospreys

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 31-man squad for the clash away to the Ospreys in the Magners League on Sunday.

McLaughlin's side have won three games on the trot in all competitions and will be determined to keep up momentum. A win on Sunday would see them move ahead of the fifth placed Ospreys, with a real chance of pushing for a play-off spot.

Nevin Spence, Ian Humphreys, Declan Fitzpatrick, Willie Faloon and Chris Henry, Nigel Brady and Paul Marshall are all included after representing the Irish Wolfhounds last week.