Why Robbie and Jared are centres of attention

Everyone’s been spending a disproportionate amount of time talking about the Ireland centres during this World Cup. I’m wondering why that is.

Robbie Henshaw’s hamstring and Jared Payne’s alleged inadequacies are the fodder of daily bulletins, feeding the tournament news cycle that can’t afford to grind to a halt.

Henshaw could have played against Romania last Sunday if the opposition demanded it. Of that I’m fairly sure. Payne may miss out against Italy but just as both are replaceable, their midfield partnership is also an important tandem in an Irish backline that’ll have to unlock sophisticated defences when this World Cup turns serious on Sunday week.