Ulster’s Jared Payne signs three-year deal with province

Ulster fullback Jared Payne has signed a new three-year deal with Ulster, on the day he was named alongside Munster prop BJ Botha in the Barbarians squad for their games against England and the British and Irish Lions.

New Zealand-born Payne, who joined Ulster from the Auckland Blues ahead of the 2011-12 season, will be Irish qualified from 2014.

Payne’s first season with Ulster was cut short after just three matches when he snapped his Achilles tendon, but the 27-year-old is enjoying a fine season with the province, having scored eight tries.

Commenting on Payne's new contract, Ulster's director of rugby, David Humphreys, said: "Jared is an exceptional player who is as dynamic with ball-in-hand as he is rock solid in defence. He is a hugely important member of our squad and I am delighted that he has committed to Ulster for a further three years."

Payne said: “I am really enjoying my rugby here at Ulster so I am pleased to be staying for another three years. We have a fantastic squad of players and we play a great brand of rugby. It has been a successful season so far and hopefully we can finish the campaign off with some silverware.”

Payne and Botha will get a chance to take on the British and Irish Lions in their tour opener in Hong Kong on June 1st. The Barbarians also play England at Twickenham on May 26th.

There are no Ireland internationals named due to the summer tour to Ireland and Canada and a tournament in Georgia that will feature an emerging Ireland selection, although Baa-Baas team manager Derek Quinnell said that further players will be added to the 22 named depending on the make-up of touring sides.

Players from 10 different countries are represented, including Hong Kong sevens skipper Rowan Varty, United States winger Takudzwa Ngwenya and Samoa scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i.

“Our selection process has taken several months and is still not quite complete,” Barbarians team manager Derek Quinnell said.

"Over the next week or so we will be monitoring the domestic play-off matches in Europe and the various national squads for the summer tours.

“Also, one or two players in the squad announced today may not be available for both of our matches, so we expect to add other significant names in the near future.”

Barbarians squad – Backs: J Payne (Ulster), R Varty (DeA Tigers and Hong Kong), T Ngwenya (Biarritz and USA), J Rokocoko (Bayonne and New Zealand), J Hook (Perpignan and Wales), N Evans (Harlequins and New Zealand), K Fotuali'I (Ospreys and Samoa), D Peel (Sale Sharks and Wales), D Yachvili (Biarritz and France).

Forwards:D Jones (Ospreys and Wales), BJ Botha (Munster and South Africa), P James (Bath and Wales), M Castrogiovanni (Leicester and Italy), M Rees (Scarlets and Wales), L Ghiraldini (Treviso and Italy), M Wentzel (Wasps and South Africa), J Hamilton (Gloucester and Scotland), F Louw (Bath and South Africa), S Jones (Wasps), A Zanni (Treviso and Italy), S Parisse (Stade Francais and Italy), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz and France).