Wallace worry for Boks test

DAVID WALLACE is a doubt for Saturday’s Test against South Africa after an ankle injury flared up.

While his teammates trained yesterday in St Gerard’s School in Bray, Wallace’s injury, which resurfaced over the weekend, was being monitored by the Ireland medical staff.

A decision will be made early today on the Munster back-row’s wellbeing.

Wallace isn’t the only man desperate for a start on Saturday — two years ago at Lansdowne Road, Rory Best was in the crowd watching Ireland’s 17-12 victory over the Springboks. This time, he hopes to be even closer to the action.

“I was in the East Stand,” he reminisced at the team’s base in Killiney yesterday. “I was still at college and I wasn’t even involved with Ulster at that stage. I was playing with Belfast Harlequins. I never thought while watching that game that I’d be in the Ireland 22 the next time the South Africans came over, so, obviously, I’m excited about this weekend’s game.

“I’m happy with where I am at the minute, the season is going very well for me so far and hopefully that’ll continue over the next three games.

“Of course, I’d love to start on Saturday — you wouldn’t be in the squad if you didn’t want to start — but it’ll be a great experience either way, and whichever 15 players we put out, I’m sure they’ll do us proud.”

While Best may have been sitting in the stands the last time the Springboks came to town, Malcolm O’Kelly was very much in the thick of the action.

The Leinster lock played a key role in Ireland’s shock success and has fond memories of one of upsetting the then Tri-Nations champions.

“It was a great game to be involved in,” O’Kelly enthuses. “We’d travelled over there to play them that summer and lost two Tests, so everyone was really keen to put in a great performance at Lansdowne Road.

“We never stopped encouraging each other throughout the game and we all worked incredibly hard for the 80 minutes. It was a big defensive effort that day and I imagine we’ll require something similar on Saturday.”

But while Ireland went into that game in 2004 as underdogs, this weekend the hosts will undoubtedly be favourites to triumph over the under-strength Springboks.

Simon Easterby, who missed the summer Tour of New Zealand and Australia through injury, is keen to guard against complacency but he is extremely excited about the potential of this current Ireland team.

“I enjoyed having the summer off. It was good to recharge the batteries, both mentally and physically,” the flanker explained.

“But I’m always so desperate to be involved in the Irish setup because I really think that we’re building something special here.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we’re 100% focused every week. These three games are huge in terms of showing us where we are ahead of the Six Nations and the World Cup.”

Meanwhile, Munster captain and Ireland lock Paul O’Connell is among the nominations for International Rugby Board player of the year.

The Limerick man who toured New Zealand with the Lions last year, is on a short-list of five, joining All Blacks pair Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, Australia full-back Chris Latham and South Africa’s Fourie du Preez.

The winner will be announced at the IRB awards night in Glasgow on November 26.