Paul Wallace has major concerns over Ireland’s new-look centre partnership

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has thrown Jared Payne and Rob Henshaw straight into the deep end of international rugby by pairing them in the centre for Ireland’s clash with South Africa on Saturday.

Newly-qualified Payne will make his debut in the No 13 jersey as Ireland desperately seek to fill the hole left by Brian O'Driscoll, while 21-year-old Henshaw will make only his second Test start as O'Driscoll's long-term centre partner Gordon D'Arcy is still recovering from a knock.

However, former Ireland prop Paul Wallace admits he has reservations over their selection and feels his countrymen may be found wanting in this area.

“I am surprised Joe Schimdt has gone for Henshaw and Payne in the centres for this game,” Wallace told skysports.com

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

“Payne, for me, is the best attacking fullback playing in Ireland – better than even Rob Kearney in that department. However, Payne has not really shone in the centre. He showed a little bit of a spark last season but for me he has not quite shown what is needed to nail down an international position.

“To put him in with Henshaw, who is also not that experienced, is a massive ask. I really think it is a weakness that the likes of Jean de Villiers can exploit. De Villiers did not have the greatest time when he was playing for Munster but he has shown that he is right back to his best.

“Another area I think Schmidt should have looked at was perhaps starting with Rhys Ruddock instead of Chris Henry. I don’t think Henry has been playing very well and I just think Ireland could have done with Ruddock’s physicality to take on the Spingboks.”

Impressive

Wallace has been impressed with South Africa, who recently beat New Zealand in the Rugby Championship with young fly-half Handre Pollard nabbing two tries in that game.

“It is a very dangerous South Africa side." added Wallace. "I am a big fan of Pollard’s running game and think it has brought a new dimension to the team. He is also good at the simple things like identifying mismatches in his back line and attacking them.

“Another player who has also impressed me is No.9 Francois Hougaard. He brings so much to the Springbok attack by the way he runs sort of five metres laterally, and then goes straight and over the gainline. Because of his pace he tends to get behind the initial defenders and this creates options for him both outside and inside.

"You never want scrum-halves running across the pitch but because of his pace he can get away with it and actually creates more attacking options for the Springboks. He engages defenders, which allows space for his big runners like Duane Vermeulen and Bismark du Plessis to punch through. This gives South Africa a lot of momentum and I think Ireland will struggle to deal with that.”

Live International Rugby Union

It’s not all doom and gloom for Ireland, though, as Wallace believes their lineout is more than a match for South Africa’s.

“One area where I do think Ireland are stronger is at the lineout – rarely do you say that about a Springbok team that has Victor Matfield in it. However, Paul O’Connell is such a superb student of the lineout and Matfield himself has recognised that. Then you have Peter O'Mahony, who is a great option, as well as the 6ft10in Devin Toner to throw into the mix.

“I think South Africa are going to have a bit too much for Ireland, though, and the home side are going to come under immense pressure – especially towards the end. I don’t think Mike Ross is an 80-minute player and while Rodney Ah You may be a big physical specimen, he has not quite proved himself at this level.

"I think South Africa will have too much power up front for Ireland and that in the centre, Ireland will come up short defensively.”

Watch Ireland v South Africa live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday from 5pm