MAURICE FIELD'S international career hasn't followed a smooth course and as he puts it himself rather succinctly: "It has had its ups and downs and ins and outs".

He made his international debut in 1994 and next Saturday will win his 15th cap when he plays in the centre against Wales. That is not, by any means, an insignificant collection for a man who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on February 24th.

Better late than never would be an appropriate assessment of Field's international career. "Every cap I get, whether it is a first choice, as a replacement or a temporary replacement is special to me," said Field, a contracted player with the Ireland squad but, who still works in Belfast with the Northern Ireland Fire Service.

Field likes his job and his rugby and his entry in the international records is liberally sprinkled with the initials R (replacement) and TR (temporary replacement). "I think it would be right to say I am a couple of caps a year player as a first choice," said Field, a most personable man with a dry sense of humour and a great commitment to the game.

With a wry smile, he said: "I usually get in after we have lost the first couple of matches each season," and that is not an inaccurate assessment. "But I am always delighted to play for Ireland. I was very pleased to be chosen in the squad and I am always delighted to be in the 21 for the internationals, even if not in the team. Of course I want to be in at the start of every match but, even if I am not, I do not lose heart and feel my turn will come again. And it has come again with a fair amount of regularity.

He points to an extraordinary record. "I have won 14 caps and, while I have been on losing teams, I think I am right to say we have never lost a match in which I started and finished the game." He also holds the record of having won more caps as a replacement and temporary replacement than any other Irish player.

Did he feel as the 30th birthday approached and he remained uncapped that he would be one of those players who went very close but would not get the ultimate honour? "Well until you get the first cap you will always wonder and be apprehensive. The first cap is something really special and when you get one you want to get more. You must have that appetite."

"I had to wait a long time and had my disappointments along the way, but I think that probably added to the satisfaction when I eventually won my first cap against England at Twickenham in 1994."

That match is special in every way for Field, who was educated at Belfast High School and played initially at club level for NIFC before he moved to Malone. Field's international debut coincided with one of Ireland's great wins the 13-12 victory over England. "That is still my best memory and best occasion in the game," said Field. He also played against Scotland that season in the draw in Dublin.

A few months later, Field went on Ireland's tour to Australia and won a cap as a replacement in the first Test. He had been a member of Ireland's preliminary squad prior to the World Cup in 1991, but did not go on the tour to Namibia nor was he chosen in the World Cup squad. He had played for Ulster at under-20 and under-23 levels and won his first Ulster senior cap in 1990 against the Exiles. It took him some time to establish himself in the Ulster side but he eventually did in 1992 playing against Australia and in the interprovincial championship.

"I had hoped to make the Ireland squad for the tour to New Zealand in 1992, but was disappointed about that. I felt I was moving upwards gradually and was playing in a good Ulster side." He is a particular admirer of Mark McCall, "a very good player and very unlucky this season with injuries. I have always liked playing with him."

He won his first Ireland cap at A level in 1994 against Wales and a few weeks later came his senior debut at Twickenham. His three appearances for Ireland in 1995, prior to the World Cup, were all as a replacement. He also won a cap as a replacement in the World Cup match against New Zealand and then played in the win over Japan in Bloemfontein. He did not get into the side for the World Cup quarter-final against France in Durban which was another source of disappointment to him.

After playing in the win over Fiji early last season he failed to get into the side against the USA in Atlanta. His next cap was against France in Paris last season again as a replacement. But he was chosen for the match against Wales - won by Ireland 30-17 - and against England at Twickenham.

When he did not make the team he was usually chosen on the bench, as was the case against Western Samoa and Australia when he came on as a replacement for Jim Staples. He was left out of the 21 for the ill-fated match against Italy. "Maybe in the circumstances it was a good match to miss." But he was back in the side again against France a fortnight ago.

"You cannot afford to dwell on disappointments and allow them to get you down or dampen your enthusiasm and my enthusiasm has in no way diminished. If it did I would not be playing," said Field.

What of the prospects of beating Wales? "I see absolutely no reason why we should not beat Wales and maintain our, great recent record against them.