The 28-year-old would appear to be more at home at full-back, having strutted his stuff there for both the Crusaders and the Blues in New Zealand and while a lost of his rugby for Ulster has come in the No.15 shirt, he makes no secret of his desire to play at outside centre.
And his form this season suggests that Ireland should take note.
Arriving in 2011, Payne was plagued with an Achilles' injury but last season he was in irresistible form, helping Ulster to the RaboDirect PRO12 final with six tries in 15 starts.
This season he has been in similar form and has cropped up in the No.13 shirt as well, scoring three tries in 13 starts hitherto as Ulster keep the pressure on the top two - Leinster and Munster.
Ever so dangerous with ball in hand and lethal when running through broken fields, Payne's form will have a major bearing on whether Ulster can go one better and clinch the RaboDirect PRO12 title this season.
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