Payne and Zebo back for Ireland

Mar 10, 2016 - 5:20 PM Ireland has reshaped its backline for the Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday, recalling fit-again centre Jared Payne and replacing injured fullback Rob Kearney with Simon Zebo.

Seeking a first win in their failed defence of the title, coach Joe Schmidt chose against moving Payne to fullback.

Instead, centre Stuart McCloskey made way for Payne, and Zebo slots in at No. 15, with Kearney failing to recover from another hamstring injury.

The rest of the team announced on Thursday was unchanged from the 21-10 loss to England that left Ireland with no chance of retaining the title after two defeats and a draw.

Ireland has only lost once to Italy in Dublin, a 37-29 defeat in 1997.

Team: Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Donnacha Ryan, Mike Ross, Rory Best (capt), Jack McGrath. Interchange: Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Nathan White, Ultan Dillane, Rhys Ruddock, Kieran Marmion, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden.

Source: AAP