Joe Schmidt sets strict deadline for injured stars to return, or risk missing France match

Next Monday, thankfully, is a day off but Tuesday will be D-day for Jared Payne and Rob Kearney.

This afternoon, Joe Schmidt named his matchday squad to face Italy. The Ireland coach remained true to his credo - train with the squad early in the week or miss out on selection. So far, two years into Schmidt's reign, the only players to survive such a cull, when battling injury, have been Paul O'Connell and Johnny Sexton. Some players are worth bending the rules for. For all of Schmidt's glowing words today - echoed by Johnny Sexton - Payne needs to prove he is fully fit, following his foot injury, by early next week. The same goes for Kearney, who is faring slightly better after straining his glute [rump]. Asked about Payne, at today's team announcement, Schmidt said: "He's progressing really well. We got him a scan as a precaution; to make sure there was nothing structurally wrong or awry. "He's got bruising and that's it. It is just inflammation and discomfort that is getting better by the day. He is able to walk around freely now, and jog around. "It is just a frustration that he hasn't been able to prepare himself. He would probably not be fit for Sunday, anyway, so there is no point trying to push him too quickly." As for the Ulster centre's hopeful involvement against France, Schmidt said:

"We'd be quietly confident and we'd be expecting that he'd be able to train, at least individually, on Tuesday and with the team on Wednesday. "Rob is probably fit to play but he wasn't fit to play at the start of the week. He trained, pretty much, fully today so there's no real doubts for him next week. One of the difficulties is trying to make an assessment when you are waiting for a soft tissue injury to heal, and you don't know how long that will be."

While Kearney should be in line to face France at the Millennium Stadium, if Payne fails to tick Schmidt's boxes by Wednesday, he could find himself in the stands again. Schmidt commented, "Jared is really disappointed because, A, he misses an opportunity and, B, he offers an opportunity to somebody else, who's in good form." As it stands, Keith Earls gets the opportunity at 13 and, given the form the Munster man is in, Payne may not get another look-in, fit or not.