By Jove we threw everything we could at Jared but he never cracked.
The odds of Jared Payne playing his first Ireland game at fullback were slashed considerably when Rob Kearney’s hamstring issues flared up on Monday afternoon.
The Ulster back is in line to take over the No.15 jersey against Italy, with Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw continuing in midfield.
We caught up with Payne before learning of Kearney’s hamstring injury [he sat out training today] but, still, we pestered him about playing fullback.
Payne smiled and answered each question dutifully but he was giving little away. Asked if Joe Schmidt should give McCloskey-Henshaw another whirl, Payne said:
“Yeah definitely Joe would be silly not to look at it again. They were pretty impressive in that environment, so I’m sure there’ll be another chance to see them at some stage.”
Skillful and evasive yet honest. Classic Payne.
Would fullback an area for a player to shine against Italy?
“Ah, that’s a tough question. They are going to be tough, they have some very good outside backs… I don’t know about shining at 15, you’d have to be pretty tight on your field positioning and defensive work to keep them quiet.”
How about coming back in at 13 to negate the threat of Michele Campagnaro?
“I might do, Joe will have his own ways of dealing everything. Whoever marshals him will have their work cut out and it will be tough.”
Finally, we lost the rag.
Q: “Jared, are you playing full-back at the weekend?”
A: “If you pay me enough I’ll tell you.”
That’s above my pay-grade.
Cian Buchanan
Cian Healy is so focused on regaining the No.1 jersey that he has let his MMA fandom slip.
The Leinster loosehead has been an avid follower of the sport for a number of years and has been at UFC events in Dublin to cheer on Conor McGregor and former schoolmate Cathal Pendred.
Healy was still getting over his start for Leinster, against Ospreys, the night before, when McGregor was submitted at UFC 196.
“I didn’t stay up for the fight,” he said. “I was in recovery mode getting set to come into camp.”
My new ride 🎥 pic.twitter.com/InCYCHwKOL
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) March 7, 2016
As for Pendred, Healy has heard about his part in the upcoming Baywatch movie but is not expecting a late casting call from The Rock.
“No [part offered]. I have only heard a little bit from him. He hasn’t told us too much.”
The silver screen debut will have to wait.
Big question, no hints
Munster back-row Jack O’Donoghue passed an initiation of sorts when the Ireland squad assembled on Monday morning. The only problem is, we don’t know what it was. Greg Feek tells us:
“Jack has done really well. He passed a crucial test but I won’t tell you what it was. But he did really well. It was really interesting to see him floating about, getting to know him and seeing his way. He’s obviously got a good character about him.
“He’s studious and works hard, which we thought, watching him play, would be the case. I don’t want to use the word delight and it’s not the word to describe a rugby player but he has been good in the environment.
“He just got asked a question and got it right. Big moment for him, if you can imagine it. Lot of pressure.”
Wonder if the question was ‘Who should Joe pick at fullback for this weekend?’
If it was, it would tie this column up in a neat bow…
