Updated 14.30
IRELAND CENTRE JARED Payne was the only absentee from training today as Joe Schmidt’s squad build up for Saturday’s meeting with England in Twickenham.
The Ulster back suffered a hamstring injury during the narrow loss to France 10 days ago, but Ireland’s backroom team had hoped that he would train fully today to prove his fitness before Thursday’s training session.
Forwards and defence coach Simon Easterby today said that Payne trained “85-90%” on Monday. However, that effort appears to have set his recovery back somewhat.
“Today he was doing a bit of work with physios. He’ll continue that work and we’ll give him until Thursday to prove his fitness,” Easterby said.
If Payne is unable to prove himself Test match fit on Thursday, then head coach Joe Schmidt will have to decide whether to select a new centre partner for Robbie Henshaw or to hand the number 13 jersey to Keith Earls.
“We have other players that can fill in in that position,” says the forwards coach.
Earlsy has played there and Luke Marshall has played at 13 as well. We are keen to give Jared the opportunity to come through on Thursday and we can make a decision after that on what combinations will best fit if he doesn’t make it.”
Easterby’s response above came after he was asked about the possibility of running Stuart McCloskey in place of Payne place. The uncapped Ulster man has arguably been the form centre in the country this season. However, selecting him at inside centre would require Henshaw to shift out one position, and international coaches have often been reluctant to make more changes and positional tweaks than absolutely necessary.
“Robbie has shown himself to be fairly adaptable. He has played at 15 for Connacht this season and at 12 for us the last couple of games so he is well able to adapt and that’s what we have to be when we have a few injuries.
“There is a difference defensively at 13 as opposed to 12, but we would feel comfortable that whatever combination we go with has time to gel. They will work with the wingers really well and they will be in a good place.”
“Jared has been excellent in that position at 13, in attack but really in defence he has been really dominant in that area. He took an early bump against the French, but he dug in really hard to stay on the pitch.”
Originally published: 14.05
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This was an epic entertaining game tbh, you’d feel sorry for any team that loses but to come out the wrong side of a cracking game is wicked tough, 2 cracking teams did themselves and club proud.
@Now or Never: Watched most of it on You Tube. Tullaroan were a bit better although Father O Neills never gave up. The 2nd half was unreal. Some high scoring and some top drawer scores. Maybe the 2 boys suspended was the difference, but saying that Tullaroan are worthy champions. Delighted for Tommy Walsh. Club is king.
@Decko49: ah I was hoping for a draw after 62nd min, but what a way to win and lose aswel. You’ll do well to see a better game all year tbh. Tullaroan worthy winners and Walsh is just a joy to watch. Some game!!
@Now or Never: hi let me tell you, a DRAW would have been a fair Result !!!!
@Tom Harrington: as is a one point win for Tullaroan, game was there to be won for either side. But another day out would have been great,just to see them go at it again.
Mandatory Viewing for any Squad …
Phenomenal ! like a Rocky movie
Had it all folks -certainly feel for the loser
Refree contributed greatly by letting Game flow
Have to say & this is a Big Statement
That Was thee most Entertaining
Hurling Match I’ve seen in years…
& I was extremely Neutral…
Hurling is a gift from the Almighty
That’s some win. After 10 mins I thought Fr O Neills were going to walk it. It’s mad 2 Tommy Walsh’s on the team and the refs name was Thomas Walsh.
Great day for Kilkenny clubs. Hope Ballyhale complete the treble tomorrow.
@Jason Pierce: it’d be a brave man who would hit a Walsh on that team, you’d have 7 others after you!
@John S: even the ref was Tommy Walsh
One of the best games ever to grace Croker. Gutted as a FON man but the lads gave it everything and more
@James Irwin: Ye were unlucky. Ye beat us in Kilfinane this year and it was a great game in difficult conditions. But today was an unbelievable game. It had everything. The 2 boys missing were a big loss. Overall the year was a great one for ye so you should be extremely proud of your team which I’m sure you are. Hope ye do great this coming year too
A cork team (male) really needed to get over the line at Croke Park in any division. Cork teams in the habit of losing big hurling games of recent times.
@Johnsinker: Father O Neills done themselves and Cork proud today. Yes they lost but they died with their boots on. The boys suspended were a huge loss. It’s tough to lose the way they did. I think they will be very competitive at senior level next year In Cork
@Johnsinker: Quite a stretch to claim a Fr O’Neills win at Croker would have had any relevance to the Cork senior hurlers later in the year. Ridiculous, in fact. What a game of hurling. Well done to both sides.
@Decko49: I think they will only be playing Senior 2 in Cork next year with the new set up.
The best thing to happen to Cork hurling was Fr O Neills winning intermediate championship to split up Imokilly.
@Jason Pierce: Yes you are correct about Senior 2 but they will be competitive. As for Imokilly, I agree with you about splitting them up. I think Father O Neills had 5 members of that panel.
@Decko49: they will Be competitive. I think some of those lower tier senior teams are poor enough. Fr O Neill’s should be way to strong for some of them. They will have a huge start on the others with fitness too.
Sounded unreal. I always think in a game that tight with one team having scored 2 goals more, if the other team can beat them by a point or two it’s well deserved
I read the whole article and still don’t know if it was football or hurling
@Scoozie: the fact it involved a kilkenny club was a big give away
@Breanainn Buggy: and the high scoring!
@Scoozie: obv dont recognise Tommy Walsh as a hurler then eh