Headaches sideline Payne
New Zealand-born Ireland international Jared Payne has not played any rugby since the British and Irish tour in June after being plagued by headaches after training.
Ulster – Payne’s Irish club – is closely monitoring his health, but director of rugby Les Kiss could not pinpoint when the 32-year-old would be fit to return.
Kiss told the Irish Times that Payne’s condition had improved, but he was still troubled by headaches.
‘‘I think first and foremost we have approached it player first,’’ Kiss said.
‘‘The welfare of players is paramount and that’s been our focus.
‘‘He’s been through a pretty torrid time with the kidney [injury] and now he’s come back with this situation.’’
Payne, who has 20 Ireland caps, played one game for the Lions in New Zealand, scoring a try against the Chiefs, his first Super Rugby franchise.
But that has proved to be his last game for six months.
The utility back had to withdraw from the Lions squad for the Hurricanes match after suffering headaches.
The Lions’ medical head Dr Eanna Falvey told reporters at the time that Payne had migraine symptoms, which were unrelated to concussion.
Kiss did not want to discuss specifics, but he told the Irish Times on Thursday that Payne’s symptoms had been easing gradually.
‘‘It’s been up and down a little bit ... I don’t want to talk about medical things without permission from him but there’s been a lot of investigation done and gradual methods to expose him to high levels and see how he responds.
‘‘He’s a big man with a big heart and he wants to put that jersey on.
‘‘But we want to be smart and make sure it’s the right timing.’’
Tauranga-born Payne, who played Super Rugby for the Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues, was asked each day ‘‘how did you respond to the session yesterday’’, Kiss said.
Kiss, a former Australian rugby league international, said Ulster remained optimistic Payne would return to play.
‘‘What we need to do is represent this in his best interests.
‘‘We are doing everything possible to look after the welfare of Jared for a number of reasons.
‘‘First, he’s a wonderful human being, he has a young family. He is so important to Ulster, so important to Irish rugby.
‘‘He wants to get out and play.’’