Scarlets assistant coach Jared Payne, who spent a decade with Ulster as a player and coach, sat down with the media this week to chat about Saturday’s round 12 BKT United Rugby Championship clash in Belfast.
How much are you looking forward to returning to the Kingspan?
JP: “It will be my first time on the visiting team. It will be good to go back, see a few old friends and obviously try and get one over on them as well.
“They have had their fair share of injuries this season, they are getting a few players back this week and knowing a few of the guys who are stepping back into the fold they are pretty competitive and will want to right the wrongs of the last few weeks. I am sure they are going to come out fighting on Saturday, they are going to be a dangerous team.
“Kingspan is a tough place to go, the way the crowd gets behind the team, they get on top of you, they’re a passionate bunch and the weather can sometimes be a bit averse! They also have a bunch of good players there as well.”
Looking at the URC table, is this a must-win game for you?
JP: “Every game is one you want to win, you treat it as you do, you go about your process, try to put in place your gameplan to try and win it. I am not a big believer in looking at the table too much, you look at what’s in front of you and look to win each week.”
Have you been pleased with the improvements in defence this season?
JP: “We have taken a few steps forward in areas and I’m happy with the way we are tracking. We are always looking to improve, we are chipping away, but there is still a lot of work to do.”
How has the switch to coaching defence been?
JP: “It’s been good. Coaching is coaching, you give the boys a few things to work on and hold them accountable each day. We have made a few strides where we wanted to and players have got behind it. There have definitely been a few bumps along the way, but the players are showing a good attitude.”
How good was it to see Ellis Mee perform so well on his international debut last weekend?
JP: ”It was awesome wasn’t it? It was great to see a young man get out there and play the way he knows he can and we all know he can. I was stoked for him, he was fully deserving of it, he has earned everything he has got. He has come in and worked hard, he is a great player to coach, you don’t have to do much with him, he quietly listens and goes away and goes about his business. It was great to see what he did. He is already physically pretty good, if he keeps his natural flair, his understanding of the game and continues to come out of his shell and back himself more and more he will only get better. He is a very exciting prospect for the future.”
It has been announced that Macs Page has signed his first pro contract, how much of a talent is Macs?
JP: “Macs is very similar to Ellis, he goes about his business very well and is a pleasure to coach. He asks questions what he needs help and apart from that he goes about his work diligently. He is a competitive little fella, wants to get stuck in and wants to get better. I have been really pleased with him, it is about him turning up each day and being the best he can be.”
Squad wise, what’s the latest?
JP: “It has been good to have Taine and Joe back, Josh is not quite ready for this week.”