Ireland’s Payne out for three months

Ireland centre Jared Payne is set to miss the start of next year’s Six Nations after being ruled out for three months with a kidney injury.
Payne suffered the blow during the first half of Ireland’s 27-24 victory over Australia in Dublin last Saturday.
The 31-year-old is now in line to miss the Six Nations matches against Scotland, Italy and France, but the New Zealand-born midfielder could return for the concluding fixtures against Wales and England in March.
Meanwhile fellow Ulster back Andrew Trimble has been sidelined for a fortnight after the wing suffered a foot injury against the Wallabies.
In a statement issued Thursday, Ireland’s team management added that fullback Rob Kearney was “removed” from the pitch as a precaution.
Kearney had been doubtful for the game because of concussion and he then sustained a blow to the head before being taken off.