Jared Payne on standby as full-back Rob Kearney in Ireland fitness race

Ireland are waiting on tomorrow’s medical reports as to whether Rob Kearney will be available for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy, with fit-again Jared Payne primed to replace him at full-back.

Head coach Joe Schmidt, seeking a first win of the championship after a draw and two defeats left his outgoing back-to-back champions in fifth place with just one point from six, could be without Kearney after he sat out training yesterday with a hamstring problem.

If the 29-year-old full back does not pass fit when he reports for training tomorrow morning at Carton House, he may well miss a Six Nations clash for the second time in four rounds, having failed to make the opening draw with Wales on February 7, also with a hamstring issue.