Schmidt trusts youthful centres for Springboks clash

Joe Schmidt has gone with the young centre partnership of Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw for Ireland’s game against the Springboks on Saturday.

Thu, 06 Nov, 2014 - 13:12

Grainne McGuinness

Joe Schmidt has gone with the young centre partnership of Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw for Ireland’s game against the Springboks on Saturday.

There is no place at all for Gordon D’Arcy in the squad, with Payne taking the No 13 jersey.

Ulster’s Payne slots in for his Test debut at outside centre, with Rob Kearney fit to start at full-back.

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt is well known for keeping his cards close to his chest, and by pairing his two rivals for the famous 13 shirt in midfield he has not strayed from type one jot.

From a centre pairing boasting 212 Ireland caps that closed last term’s Six Nations, Schmidt’s midfield duo will line up against the Springboks with a combined Test total of three appearances.

Henshaw’s fourth international appearance is certainly a leap into the deep end, squaring up to the 102-cap South Africa captain Jean de Villiers.

Tommy Bowe claims his wing berth after successfully negotiating return to play protocols after concussion.

There are no other major surprises in the selection; Sean Cronin starts at hooker with the experience of Mike Ross beside him and Richard Strauss on the bench.

Rodney Ah You can expect to come on for Ross, who won his fortnight-long fitness battle and is unlikely to play 80 minutes.

While Schmidt continues with the press conference, the team are training at Carton House.