Rugby World Cup
Ireland opt against risking Jared Payne for France
PA Sport
October 9, 2015
Ireland's Jared Payne
Ireland's Jared Payne© Michael Steele/Getty Images

Joe Schmidt has decided not to risk Jared Payne for Ireland's World Cup Pool D decider against France on Sunday.

Munster's in-form flyer Keith Earls slots in at outside centre with Payne unable to start despite Ireland having expected him to beat his heavily-bruised foot at the start of the week.

With Ireland already assured of a quarter-final next weekend, Schmidt believes t is not worth gambling on Payne's fitness, though topping the pool with a victory would mean Ireland face Argentina rather than the All Blacks in the last eight.

Lock Devin Toner has been restored to the starting line-up with Ulster powerhouse Iain Henderson dropping to the bench, primed to counter France's heavy-hitting replacements in the closing stages.

"It's a mix of the two," said Schmidt, when asked if Payne was left out owing to fitness or form. "We felt that Keith played pretty well last week amongst a pretty flat effort. And he played exceptionally last time he was at the Millennium Stadium in the centre. 

"Jared got through training completely on Wednesday but we do think if we put him back in on Sunday it would aggravate the foot. We just felt it was pertinent to leave Jared for another week.

"Whichever game it is next week we want to try to ensure we have a fully-fit squad to pick from."

Earls is not famed for his dominant tackling, but Schmidt still backed the 28-year-old to cope amid the ferocious defensive challenge.

"More often than not he'll be marking up Wesley Fofana and he's a speed, agility and power man," said Schmidt. "We don't have someone who is the same size as Mathieu Bastareaud anyway.

"I've got massive respect for what he brings to their team. We've long struggled to contain him.

"One thing I know both the centres have is pretty much limitless courage. They will put themselves in the way of Bastareaud or anyone coming down that channel."

Ireland:

Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell (captain), Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heasip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.

© PA Sport

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