Wednesday 24 February 2016 09:55, UK
Ireland centre Jared Payne once again sat out training on Tuesday and faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.
Ulster star Payne is struggling with a hamstring injury and must recover by Thursday is he is to be included in Joe Schmidt's match-day squad to face England.
Payne is a key member of the Irish back-line and his defensive prowess in particular has stood out since he stepped into the number 13 shirt following Brian O'Driscoll's retirement.
Given the threat posed by opposite number Jonathan Joseph - who scored a hat-trick of tries for England against Italy - Payne's absence would be another cruel blow for Ireland's injury-hit squad.
"Everyone trained fully today apart from Jared Payne," said Ireland's forwards coach Simon Easterby.
"He trained probably 85 to 90 per cent yesterday and ran well, but today he's going to do some work with the physios and continue that, and we'll give him until Thursday to prove his fitness.
"Jared Payne has been excellent at 13 both in attack but especially defence, he's been very dominant in that area.
"He took an early bump against the French and dug in very well to stay on the pitch and he got us out of trouble a few times.
"We're keen to give Jared the opportunity to come through on Thursday but after that we'll make a decision on what combinations will best fit if Jared doesn't make it."
If Payne does miss out, Ireland have a number of options to replace him.
Keith Earls played outside centre during the World Cup when Payne was ruled out with a foot injury while Ulster pair Stuart McCloskey and Luke Marshall will also be considered.
Versatile Munster star Earls has recovered from a concussion which ruled him out of the loss against France and is likely to feature on the wing if he is not selected in the centre.
Uncapped 23-year-old McCloskey would be an intriguing option as he offers a physical presence the others lack.
His inclusion would likely shift Robbie Henshaw to number 13 so he could play in his natural inside centre position.
"I think we've got a few combinations we could run with," said Easterby. "Keith Earls has played there and Luke Marshall has done too.
"I think Robbie Henshaw has shown himself to be fairly adaptable, he's played at 15 this year for Connacht.
"He's well able to be adaptable, and that's what we have to be when we have a few injuries. We need to be adaptable.
"There is a difference defensively between 12 and 13 but we'd feel comfortable that whichever combination we go with that they would have had enough time to gel together.
"We're confident we'll be in a good place whatever the combinations that take the field."
