JARED ADDS CLASS TO LIONS
Kiss delighted his Ireland star will tour
ULSTER chief Les Kiss believes Lions coach Warren Gatland has made an inspired choice in selecting Jared Payne for this summer’s tour to New Zealand.
The Ireland centre may have divided opinion in terms of his potential inclusion prior to last week’s official announcement of the 41-man squad.
For every Sir Ian Mcgeechan praising his organisational skills in defence, a pundit was lining up to raise his eyebrows at the call-up.
Kiss accepts Payne’s case wasn’t helped by a season punctuated by injury but believes that the 31-year-old can emerge an important player for Gatland down under.
He also believes Rory Best’s experience and Iain Henderson’s versatility in playing at lock or at No6 will be a big plus as the tourists kick off their 10-match tour on June 3.
Reflecting on Ulster contributing three players to this year’s tour, Kiss
(right) said:
“Jared may not have played a lot of rugby but there’s a class that oozes out with what he does in the game. “He offers a lot of variation, same as Hendy. They’re wise decisions and well deserved.
“When we had the TV on in the team room, Besty and Hendy couldn’t be there but there was a genuine cheer of joy when Hendy got in and it was the same for Jared.” Kiss insists he never had any doubts on Best’s inclusion after a year in which the seasoned hooker captained Ireland to famous wins over the All Blacks, South Africa and Australia.
He said: “Nothing is ever a given but we all thought he was going to be in that team and he deserves it. It’s a massive honour for him, his family and also the club.” Payne, who has won 20 Ireland caps since qualifying through residency in 2014, is ruled out of Ulster’s crucial PRO12 clash with Ospreys on Saturday with an ankle problem.
Centre Darren Cave and back row forwards Chris Henry (calf) and Clive Ross (knee) are unavailable too for the trip to the Liberty Stadium.
Ulster know a win would leapfrog them above Ospreys and into the play-off spots ahead of the final regular game of the season at home to Leinster on May 6.
Kiss accepts there is no room for error with a defeat this weekend all but ending hopes of playing knockout rugby next month.
Last week’s 22-20 bonus point defeat to Munster at Thomond Park was the team’s first loss in eight outings dating back to January.
On the stark complexion of the league table, Kiss said: “It is fair simple and fairly in your face. The reality is we have to go and win this game. The team that gets the upper hand this week, it’s pretty crucial in the whole make-up of things.
“The boys were very disappointed to leave a lot out there against Munster but there is a good spirit in the group.”