Payne, who played in Walcha junior teams and some club rugby with the Rams when back at home on school holidays, has a house in Walcha and is set to come back and play in the famous red and white jersey.

Payne's father John Payne said he understood Sam's intention was to "link up with the Rams".

"That decision will ultimately be up to him but if he's in Walcha then I'd think that he would play," Payne said.

"He's had a two-year contract with Brive in south west France and his contract is just about up."

Sam Payne will live in Walcha with his wife and daughter and likely work on his family property.

Payne has had a successful time of it with Brive.

"Brive has already won division two over there and will go up in the top 16 (in division one) next year," John Payne said.

Australian Rugby Union media operations manager and former Tamworth Magpie Tim Archer confirmed Payne's representative statistics to The Leader yesterday.

Payne played 91 matches for NSW including 52 in Super 12 competition and seven Tests.

His last Test appearance was against the Pumas on Australia's 1997 tour of Argentina.

Walcha coach Warwick Fletcher said the club would receive a huge boost with Payne's presence.

"We've been told he's coming back in June to play," Fletcher said.

"He'd certainly give everyone here at the club a lift."

Fletcher said the 52-nil loss to Inverell on Saturday was just a hiccup and that his side still had its sights set on securing a top four spot.

"As long as the boys don't drop their bundle we can bounce back," Fletcher said.

"We need to look at our defensive pattern a bit. We gave Inverell's backs far too much room to move."

Payne is not the only cause for optimism about the rest of the Rams' 2003 season.

Fletcher is hoping Jock McLaren and Ian Crawford will also figure prominently in first grade in the near future.

"Jock came back through reserve grade against Inverell," Fletcher said.

"And Ian (Crawford) has been tied up with his AI (Artificial Insemination) business but he should be right soon."

McLaren was injured in the clash with Inverell but the extent of his injury is not yet known.

o See page 25 for more rugby and why Inverell is on top of the Central North ladder.