Garry Ringrose ready to step up as Jared Payne a serious doubt

The clock is ticking on outside centre Jared Payne even making the bench for Ireland’s Friday night date with Wales in Cardiff, but there is no panic in the Irish management.

Whether it is the incumbent midfield partnership of Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose or the ability to provide suitable cover for the outside backs from the replacements, assistant coach Simon Easterby believes Ireland have the strength in depth to carry on surviving without Payne for the time being.

It was not too long ago the absence of Payne, seen by head coach Joe Schmidt as his defensive captain, might have raised the alarm about Ireland’s capacity to cope.