Kiwi star Payne set to make Ulster debut against Cardiff

KIWI star Jared Payne will make his Ulster debut against Pro12 table toppers Cardiff Blues tonight at Ravenhill (7.05pm).

The versatile 25-year-old from Auckland Blues got the thumbs up after initially thinking his plans were dashed when his registration had not come through from New Zealand earlier this week. However, that problem has now been alleviated. Payne starts at full-back in place of Adam D’Arcy who reverts to the bench while lock Lewis Stevenson comes in for Tim Barker and Declan Fitzpatrick gets his first start of the season at loose-head in place of Paddy McAllister.

“I was with the squad on their trip to Italy last week and it was good to see the way they prepared for the game, much more relaxed than back in New Zealand, and I really enjoyed it,” said Payne.