Jared Payne withdraws from Lions squad to face Hurricanes

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny will take a seat on the Lions’ subs bench in his place

Ireland’s Jared Payne was withdrawn from the British and Irish Lions’ clash with the Hurricanes as a precaution after suffering a headache. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
Ireland’s Jared Payne was withdrawn from the British and Irish Lions’ clash with the Hurricanes as a precaution after suffering a headache. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images

Ireland's Jared Payne was withdrawn from the British and Irish Lions' clash with the Hurricanes as a precaution after suffering a headache.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny will take a seat on the Lions' bench for Tuesday Westpac Stadium encounter in Wellington (follow on our liveblog from 8am).

“Jared Payne has been replaced on the bench for the British and Irish Lions clash with the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium on Tuesday night,” read a Lions statement.

“Payne — who has reported with a headache and has been stood down as a precaution — has been replaced by Leigh Halfpenny for the game.”