Wallace: maul a vital tool for Italian job

DAVID Wallace hopes the rolling maul can still play some part in Ireland’s bid for success in the RBS Six Nations Championship this year, even though law changes make it largely ineffective in the modern game.

Munster and Ireland gloried in the successful use of the maul for over a decade, but Wallace insists it shouldn’t become redundant now: “It’s a bit unusual now in that it can be brought down so easily, and as a result of that teams aren’t using it as much anymore. But I do think there still is a role for it, especially if it is done right.

“You certainly can’t be preoccupied with using it, which is probably a good thing in that it frees up the game a bit more, but it’s even more of an art form now.