The latest injury update on Ireland's foot Payne is a promising one

Murray Kinsella reports from Celtic Manor

JARED PAYNE IS set to take part in Ireland’s on-pitch training session tomorrow ahead of Sunday’s World Cup clash with France, leaving him in a good position to regain his starting spot in the 13 shirt.

Payne was in the gym with Ireland this morning. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Joe Schmidt’s first-choice outside centre missed last weekend’s win over Italy with a heavily bruised foot, and was wearing a protective moon boot at Olympic Park as he watched his teammates record a 16-9 win.

That measure was purely a “precautionary” one, according to Ireland, who say that the midfielder did complete some jogging work in the latter stages of last week.

Ireland had a rest day yesterday after arriving at their new base in The Celtic Manor Resort, around 30 minutes outside Cardiff. The squad undertook a gym session this morning, with Payne taking part.

The outside centre was also part of Ireland’s organisation session this afternoon, in which Joe Schmidt’s men generally walk or jog through the set of plays they will use in training tomorrow and in the weekend’s game.

Payne is now set to take be part of Ireland’s full squad training session at Newport High School tomorrow, when his foot injury will be tested more strenuously.

Cian Healy lifts weights at Ireland's session this morning. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Coming through that test – as Ireland expect him to do – would leave Payne in line to take over in the 13 shirt this weekend, alongside his Six Nations midfield partner Robbie Henshaw.

With Rob Kearney now fully recovered from his glute strain and also set to take a full part in training tomorrow, Ireland’s injury profile looks good for their decisive Pool D meeting with les Bleus.

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