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8th February 2018
09:06am GMT

"Obviously coaches at that level, particularly Jono's level, will have been competent at defence over a period of time. He will have his own views on what needs done there. Dwayne, from a back's perspective, will be very au fait with set piece defence. "Jared Payne is also in there helping out at the moment. He is still injured at present and unavailable to play, but he has got a fantastic rugby brain. He is one of the smartest players in modern day rugby. I know Joe Schmidt holds him in incredibly high regard in relation to how he operates and how he runs that backline."
Indeed, Payne was highly regarded in the Ireland set-up as the backline's defensive organiser. His loss, due to injury, during the 2015 World Cup was keenly felt in the quarter final defeat to Argentina.
Speaking to Leinster and Ireland star Garry Ringrose about Payne, early last year, he was effusive in his praise for the New Zealand-born centre. He said:
One hopes that Payne can get medical clearance to begin playing again, if it is safe to do so, but there seems to be a future for him at the province he has served so well since 2011."Jared is incredible defensively, and I’ve learned as much as I could off him training with him and watching him on TV. To describe Jared as the defensive captain is very true."
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