VIDEO: Tommy Bowe backs Andrew Trimble to replace Jared Payne
Andrew Trimble has been backed to replace luckless centre Jared Payne in Ireland’s World Cup squad.
Ulster’s Payne was ruled out of Ireland’s World Cup campaign with a foot fracture on Saturday, after initially being passed fit in midweek.
The 29-year-old suffered a bad reaction to training on Wednesday and scans revealed the extent of his problem on Friday night.
Payne flew home this morning, with Ireland delaying a decision on his replacement until after Sunday’s Pool D decider with France – but Tommy Bowe backed Ulster wing Trimble to join Joe Schmidt’s squad.
“I tell you what, listen, Trimby’s a really great mate of mine – I’d love to see him out here,” Bowe said.
“I think he has a fantastic opportunity to be here. He was definitely a guy who trained exceptionally well during pre-season.
“He’s a very experienced customer. He’s shown exactly what sort of quality he has and when it comes to these big matches. We know what we can expect from a player of his quality.
“So I think Andrew is definitely one person who will be eagerly hoping that he’s the man who gets the call-up, but unfortunately I know as little as anyone at the minute and thankfully it’s not my call who comes out.”
Ireland will top Pool D and meet Argentina with victory over France in Cardiff on Sunday, with Munster’s Keith Earls continuing at 13 in Payne’s absence.
Bowe backed Ireland’s depth and versatility across the back line to help offset Payne’s loss, despite the Ulster star being head coach Schmidt’s clear first choice at outside centre.
“That’s one of the benefits with us knowing that Jared has had to bow out,” Bowe said.
“He’s one of the centres who has played the most in that position, probably himself and Robbie (Henshaw), but knowing the likes of Luke (Fitzgerald) have already played at this World Cup, Darren Cave can obviously play there, Keith Earls has slotted in as well.
“So versatility is a huge positive for us.”
New Zealand-born Payne has excelled in Ireland’s midfield since his November 2014 debut, helping Schmidt’s huge battle of moving the side past the twin retirements of Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy.
Payne and Robbie Henshaw have forged a formidable defensive unit in the centres, and Earls will have to be at his very best to maintain that level against France, especially with juggernaut centre Mathieu Bastareaud careering through his channel.
