Confident Wallace aiming to ‘keep stepping it up’ on road to World Cup

NOBODY disputes that David Wallace is one of the finest back-row forwards in world rugby, but opinions differ wildly on whether he would be best suited to the number six, seven or eight jersey.

He was an outstanding eight in his school days and has since performed with distinction on both flanks. This versatility combined with an injury probably cost him his place in the 2003 Irish World Cup squad. Even though he eventually made his way to Australia, he never really felt part of the set-up. He is determined to put that situation right in France next autumn and the odds are in his favour.

Wallace has been a constant member of the Irish back-row for the past couple of years, a run highlighted by the scoring of a crucial try in the Triple Crown decider against Scotland in 2004, even though at the time he was on the periphery of the starting 15.