An Ireland call up for Payne

Ulster centre Jared Payne leads a cast of five uncapped recruits to Ireland's 37-man autumn Test series squad.

Payne joins Connacht duo Darragh Leader and Nathan White, Munster's Dave Foley and Leinster's Dominic Ryan in head coach Joe Schmidt's senior ranks.

New Zealand Under-21 cap Payne has qualified on residency after three years with Ulster, and will compete with Connacht's Robbie Henshaw for Ireland's outside centre berth.

Ulster fly-half Paddy Jackson has failed to make the cut, with Schmidt opting for Ian Keatley and Ian Madigan as the support playmakers to Johnny Sexton.

Isaac Boss has also missed out at scrum-half, with Kieran Marmion and Eoin Reddan challenging Munster's British and Irish Lion Conor Murray.

Ulster confirmed backs Luke Marshall and Andrew Trimble will swell Ireland's list of significant absentees for the three-Test series against South Africa, Georgia and Australia.

Ireland will now be shorn of 15 regular faces, with wing Trimble ruled out through toe trouble and Marshall suffering medial knee ligament damage.

Prop White, lock Foley and flanker Dominic Ryan bolster Ireland's pack resources that have been hit by long-term injuries to Cian Healy, Ulster duo Iain Henderson and Dan Tuohy, and back-rower Sean O'Brien.

Connacht full-back Leader will offer extra support for the likes of Rob Kearney, while all eyes will remain locked on Schmidt's autumn choice to fill the 13 berth vacated by the retired Brian O'Driscoll.

Gordon D'Arcy will be expected to retain his accustomed inside centre role, with Connacht's Henshaw and Ulster's Payne in the running for the 13 shirt.

Ulster's Stuart Olding has started the new campaign in fine form however, and could also force his way into contention.

Ireland will open their autumn series against South Africa on Saturday, November 8.

Munster lock Paul O'Connell continues as captain, and his presence will be more pivotal than ever given Ireland's front-five injury list.

With Donnacha Ryan adding to Ulster duo Henderson and Tuohy as lock absentees, O'Connell and Devin Toner should continue their developing engine room partnership.

New forwards coach Simon Easterby will have his first real chance to pick up the impressive work of Kiwi John Plumtree, the former Scarlets boss taking his first steps into international coaching.

IRELAND SQUAD:

Forwards: S Archer (Munster), R Ah You (Connacht), R Best (Ulster), J Cronin (Munster), S Cronin (Leinster), R Diack (Ulster), D Foley (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), M McCarthy, J McGrath (both Leinster), P O'Connell (capt), T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony (all Munster), M Ross, R Ruddock, D Ryan, R Strauss, D Toner (all Leinster), N White (Connacht).

Backs: T Bowe (Ulster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), C Gilroy (Ulster), R Henshaw (Connacht), F Jones (Munster), R Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), D Leader (Connacht), I Madigan (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), C Murray (Munster), S Olding, J Payne (both Ulster), E Reddan (Leinster), J Sexton (Racing Metro), S Zebo (Munster).