Gerry Thornleytalks to David Wallace, who is carrying on a rich family tradition with distinction
Unless one departs, literally, to the dungeon of the Killiney Castle Hotel, an interview with David Wallace in the squad's base runs the continuing risk of interruptions - invariably by his fellow Munstermen.
John Hayes and Mick O'Driscoll good-naturedly - and perhaps ironically - accuse him of self-promotion. As if, indeed.
In that inimitable, laid-back drawl of his, Wallace always seems to have a take-it-or-leave-it manner which manifests itself in a strikingly composed if profoundly committed approach. Put another way, on the rare occasions you might see him lose his cool, you can only deduce something excessive must have provoked it.
Such a sanguine nature also served him well when a combination of serious injuries and selection meant he started only four out of 44 tests between the end of the 2002 Six nations and the start of the 2006 Six Nations. Clearly, a devoted, professional and typically competitive Munster streak lurks beneath that calm exterior. He's been one of Ireland's main go-to ball carriers ever since, thereby proving the best Irish forward of his type since the retirements of Keith Wood and Victor Costello.
Wallace is justifiably happy with his ball-carrying of late, providing real impetus and a source of go-forward possession for Ireland in their two games; usually in the more open spaces of midfield. That said, his ability to burrow over from close-range against France provided him with his eighth try for Ireland in a relatively and surprisingly modest haul of 43 tests.
Against that he's looking to become more dominant in the collisions, and he talks of working in the right environment to improve his clearing out, recognising what rucks to hit or leave alone. "The reason I'm putting pressure on myself is because against Italy and France the ball probably wasn't as clean as maybe it should have been and so I'm looking at myself to see if I can do anything. Maybe we should be getting more numbers to rucks at times," says Wallace.
It's perhaps a measure of the sameness of this team that Wallace reveals Jamie Heaslip has been brought up in every interview he's done since the full-time whistle against Italy. And he's almost as effusive as Leamy. "He played very well the last day, in all facets. If you look at his stats, his work-rate was good. He carried well and I don't recall him making a mistake in the game," he explains.
According to Ronan O'Gara, it was also good to hear Heaslip - a fresh voice - not afraid to give his views, although Wallace wears a "did he?" expression.
"All I can hear is white noise around my head. But he's the kind of player that wouldn't be fazed by coming in," ventures Wallace.
He's a little circumspect about shouting from the rooftops just yet about a relatively good performance against France after a run of relatively barren ones, although he maintains the display against Italy was better than was generally considered.
"When the dust settled it was a good performance but it's no good if we don't back it up against Scotland and continue on that momentum. But Scotland aren't going to be easy. We struggled there last year up in Murrayfield; they made life very difficult up there and we snuck a win," he says.
You put it to him that the defeat in France means a tilt at a first Grand Slam since 1948 has gone abegging for another year and, barring favours from England, Italy or Wales, possibly a first title since 1985 as well.
What's more, coupled with the age profile of this team, as the recent case history of Denis Hickie and Simon Easterby also underlines, these opportunities are running out for the majority of this squad.
"I suppose you think of it as trying to win one game and whatever happens," he answers, confirming the pressure this team was feeling prior to Paris, "but we probably should be a bit more ruthless and determined about winning a championship because over the last 20 or 30 years, this is a very strong group of players and we should be aiming for a bit more."
Wallace himself is 31, and will be 32 in July, "but feeling like a 19-year-old," he adds, smiling broadly. "But yeah, how much longer will we have? It's probably something we'll look back on at the end of our careers and say, if we haven't won more, we'll have regrets."
At least he and his Munster team-mates have a Heineken European Cup under their belts, and Wallace admits that now the bottom line is winning trophies, even if there are only a few out there. "We've won a few Triple Crowns but it shows you how difficult it is to win one. But coming from where we're coming from after the World Cup, we're in a positive position now, and we need to go and win the rest of our games, and whatever happens."
Oh dear, that World Cup, which completed a desperately anti-climactic 2007. Well, he brought it up, though as he briefly relives it - especially the low confidence arising from the narrow win over Georgia - he muses that it has become a source of motivation now.
"Is that how players will be remembered? Hopefully not. But it's certainly going to have a large say in how you're remembered and to come away with not qualifying left a sour taste."
Wallace went into that World Cup with an ankle injury that had left him without any match practice for four months before it. His form went against the grain in France, in that it discernibly picked up before, by his own admission, having something of a dip with Munster. The back-to-back Llanelli games were an individual as well as a collective pick-me-up, and a springboard to qualifying from "the hardest group we ever had. We were down and kicked a bit after the World Cup and to qualify was great".
The youngest of an extraordinarily talented bunch of four rugby players, three of whom played for Ireland and the Lions, Wallace is also the last link in the dynasty. As athletes and players, with the youngest a near-perfect cross between the pace of Richard and strength of Paul, they're a credit to their parents, Mike and Greta, who have countless memorable days supporting their sons.
"They're sick of it," he jokes. "I remember going up to see Richie play at weekends in '92 or whenever, and friends of my parents saying, 'Oh yea, you've got to enjoy it now because you don't know where it will end.' And here we are 16 years later, still enjoying it. Obviously they love it and they try and go to as many games as they can."
The eldest, Henry, is based in Barcelona and went to Ireland's World Cup games. Richie, as a pilot with CityJet, flew a Ryanair flight to Paris for the Six Nations game in Paris while, of course, Paul attends in his guise as TV/radio/newspaper pundit. You wonder if it's awkward for him having a brother batting for him in public.
"I'd say it's more awkward for him. I was never forced to play rugby. I went along to Con at six or seven, and didn't really like it too much. I played up to under-12s but when I went to Limerick with Garryowen and Crescent I got a huge interest in it. And watching them (my brothers) play was a huge incentive for me. It showed me what was attainable with hard work. Richie and Paul were very dedicated guys. Richie was definitely a professional before the game went professional.
"Even by today's standards he'd be seen as professional. When he sets his mind to something, he does it."
The youngest of the siblings was married to Aileen last year, and she's expecting their first child in August. He's set to sign another one-year contract after the end of this season, although it's clear that he wouldn't be averse to a longer one.
"But for me I'd like it to last a few more years. The body is feeling good and the form is good, and as long as that applies I'd be happy to play for as long as I can. I like the idea of my son or daughter watching me play."
The Wallaces, en bloc, are entitled to be proud of their efforts. "Definitely yeah, but again I think it's something you leave aside until your career has finished and then maybe sit back and reflect. Because you don't want to be thinking 'isn't it great we've done this'. You don't want to become complacent."
And surpass Paul's 46 caps, and win a trophy or two. "A Six Nations and a Triple Crown would be nice, and another Heineken Cup." The Wallaces ain't finished yet.
