Paul Wallace would hardly be an ideal candidate to extol the value of rest in the context of the modern professional game. Last season the Lions and Irish international tight-head prop played in or togged out for every Saracens competitive fixture. In an era of large, cosmopolitan squad systems operating in English clubs, his feat is unique.
Enhancing this image of unswerving loyalty, albeit in his own self-depreciating manner, Wallace tells a story which copper fastens his unfamiliarity with life on the sidelines at Saracens. "About two weeks ago I was having my wisdom teeth out so I arrived for one of our matches about five minutes after the kick-off. As I stood just inside the turnstiles, I actually didn't know where to go to watch the match.
"Having twice gone to the wrong place, someone eventually directed me to the place where the non-playing squad members sit. It was a little bit embarrassing." It serves to highlight though the esteem in which he is held not just at club level but in an international context. Anyone not aware of Paul Wallace before the Lions tour to South Africa in 1997 has now been disabused of their ignorance in a most emphatic manner.
The reputation established on that tour has ensured that he is indispensable . . . well almost. Apart from the Italian match last year, Wallace has missed only one other international, Ireland's most recent against South Africa, on both occasions because of injury. His most recent period on the sidelines, a fortnight, has left him with a sharper appetite.
"I seem to go long stretches without injury which is great but I have to say that the rest I have had during the past fortnight has been very beneficial. I am fit and raring to go." There is no danger of Wallace resting on his laurels, thanks to a salutary lesson in a league match against London Scottish. "It was a debacle. We got a swift kick in the arse. They were quite committed but we were appalling.
"We made a commitment to each other then that we would scrumagge properly, concentrate on every scrum rather than picking and choosing. My scrumagging had definitely improved since Christmas." Wallace singles out the scrum as a key area on Saturday and admits he relishes another contest with Toulouse star Christian Califano, acknowledged as among the finest loose-heads in the international arena.
"I have played against him twice and I know he's a superb player, particularly good in the loose. But we are looking to attack them in the scrums, put them under pressure and make sure that they have to work hard in this area. The best form of defence is attack and that is what we will try to do in the tight."
Wallace is adamant that the present team carries no baggage from yesteryear. "We don't compare ourselves with any teams including those we might have played on in the past. We are looking forward not backwards. This will be Warren's (Gatland) first full season in charge for the Five Nations. Last season and especially on the tour to South Africa we went a long way to sorting out personnel.
"Now we are concentrating on establishing a pattern of play. There is no reason why we can not win every international this season. A win on Saturday would be the perfect starting point. We need to win because that brings confidence and self belief and when you get in those tight matches, where you are not playing well, it helps pull you through. We just need that tiny nudge that victory would bring."
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