Jared Payne signs new two year deal to remain to Ulster

Jared Payne has become the latest key Ireland player to sign a renewed deal with the IRFU. The Ulster centre/full-back agreeing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium through to the summer of 2018.

The New Zealand native spent his first season in Belfast on the sidelines with injury, but he has since proven to be one of the best value-for-money imports of the professional era at provincial level while Ireland have profited from his abilities since he qualified under the residency rule in 2014.

Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss spoke in a statement yesterday about the player’s astuteness, intelligence and experience. The IRFU’s Performance Director David Nucifora referenced his worth as a decision-maker and a leader.

“He adds experience and calm to any backline and he will continue to be an important player for Ulster in the years to come,” said Kiss.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has heaped similar praise on the 30-year old who has dovetailed comfortably with the younger Robbie Henshaw in Ireland’s midfield and thus lessening the impact felt by the retirements of Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy.

He made his debut for Ulster against the Cardiff Blues in September 2011 and has represented the province 63 times, scoring 14 tries. A first international cap arrived in the win over South Africa in November 2014 and has since added eleven more caps and two tries.

Commenting on his new contract, Payne said: “I am very happy to have signed a two year Irish contract to remain with Ulster Rugby. It has been an honour for me to not only pull on the Ulster jersey, but to represent Ireland as well. There is plenty for us to achieve at Ulster and with Ireland.”

Payne’s signature comes on the back of a number of others who have also committed to central contracts recently.