Lions suffer Jared Payne setback ahead of tour opener

Ireland international Jared Payne has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions' upcoming tour game against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday after sustaining a calf injury.

Payne will now have to wait for his first chance to represent Lions in the place of his birth. He has also represented New Zealand Under-20 team previously and has been part of Super Rugby sides Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues between 2007 and 2011 following which he decided to switch to Ulster and three years later he went on represented the Ireland side after qualifying through residency grounds.

The 31-year-old also missed most of the second half of the domestic season for Ulster following a lacerated kidney that he suffered during the autumn internationals last year.

Meanwhile, England international Elliot Daly has taken the place of Payne on the bench and is likely to make his Lions debut on Saturday.

Payne will undergo further assessment on his injury and will be desperate to take part in the 10-game tour of New Zealand that includes three Tests against All Blacks as well.