Ulster's Jared Payne ‘now having his lunch with coaches’

Ulster’s New Zealand-born Ireland and Lions star Jared Payne has given the broadest hint yet that he is on the cusp of retiring by taking up an Ulster coaching role.

Dogged by a recurring head injury which brings on severe migraines following strenuous training, the 20-times capped international has not played since June 20 when he was concussed in the dying minutes of the game against the Chiefs at the start of the Lions tour to New Zealand.

Born in Tauranga, the 32-year-old Payne, now officially ruled out for the rest of the season, began life this week as Ulster’s defence guru and was prominent on the training paddock as the province prepares for the visit of fourth-placed Edinburgh.