Not good.

Ireland international Jared Payne has been de-registered from Ulster’s Champions Cup squad for their remaining two pool games against La Rochelle and Wasps.

The New Zealand-born star has not played a game since complaining of a headache in a meeting with the Chiefs back in June, while on tour with the British and Irish Lions.

Payne has been suffering from recurrent headaches ever since, with a return date for the 32-year-old still unknown. At this stage it looks like he will definitely miss the upcoming Six Nations with Ireland.

He has been replaced in the squad by 20-year-old outhalf Johnny McPhillips who made his debut in the inter-provincial defeat to Connacht over the festive period.