We want to win every game, says Wallace

SEVERAL top Irish rugby players will spend the next few days sweating — but Paddy Wallace won’t be amongst them.

Eddie O’Sullivan has yet to finalise his 30-man squad for the World Cup, but Wallace is an automatic selection as one of two fly halves in the party.

It’s a huge contrast to his only previous World Cup experience, as a bit-player who failed to get any time on the pitch. This Saturday he starts at Murrayfield against Scotland.

“It’s a good opportunity to see where I am at the moment. It’s a very strong Scottish side and it will be interesting to come face to face with Chris Paterson.”

His first start for Ireland was against the Pacific Islands in November, and it was a personal triumph that proved too much for O’Sullivan to ignore.

Wallace admitted: “I was very nervous because I really was in a no-win situation. First, we had to beat them by a decent margin to retain credibility and it was up to me to put my name forward. On the day, it was a pretty impressive team performance and I didn’t do too badly.”

During a frustrating period as David Humphreys’ understudy, Wallace was glad of Eddie O’Sullivan’s attention.

“It’s nice to know that even though I was out of the loop, I wasn’t forgotten.

“I have to say that I was behind a great player in David Humphreys. The positive thing is that I haven’t a huge amount of miles on the clock and I have had a lot of time to dedicate to learning from others. Even through what you would consider to be bad times, you do learn a lot.”

Wallace draws comparisons between himself and Munster’s Jerry Flannery.

“I remember Christmas time a couple of years ago when Jerry first made his mark on the squad and I was down in Ballymena playing my rugby. Someone sent me an article of an interview that Jerry had done where he highlighted what he had gone through in his bid to get to the top.

“It wasn’t easy for him, but he got his break and he has been upgraded quickly through his own efforts.”

Injuries played a part in hampering his progress. “I remember one time when David (Humphreys) was away on international duty and I had a chance of a run at out half with Ulster. I got injured and was out for the month that David was away. Then I broke my hand a few days before the Irish tour to Japan and that cost me as well.

“But there’s no point in looking back now; it’s all about looking forward to the World Cup where I hope at least to get some time on the pitch.”

Last time around he was happy enough just to get on the plane. It’s different now. “I got in because of injuries and it was great to be just named in the party. This time around I won’t be happy unless I’m involved; that’s what we play the game for. We set our expectations high; we want to win every game, and it’s an exciting squad to be in.”

Saturday’s game against Scotland is a big fixture for an Irish side that would largely be looked upon as a second string — the exceptions being the presence of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.

But like O’Sullivan, Wallace sees it as an opportunity for players to guarantee they go to the World Cup.

“It’s going to be tough; we only beat Scotland in the Six Nations by a couple of points and they’ve put out virtually a full strength side. We’ve just got to concentrate on our job, and in a sense it makes it easier for us to analyse them.

“The fact that we know their players and have an idea of how the combinations work should be to our benefit. Still, it’s going to take a huge effort to beat them.”