Frozen-out Wallace plays waiting game

Rugby Celtic League: Gavin Cummiskey talks to a man who since his meteoric rise has had to learn fast how to deal with the fickle fates of the game

Fate recently dealt Paddy Wallace a cruel blow. One of the highlights of a professional rugby player's career is to play at the World Cup, but to be brought to the tournament and left out of all the match-day squads cannot be perceived as the dream coming true.

In fairness, the 24-year-old Ulster man was named in the Irish squad only after Geordan Murphy was ruled out through injury at the 11th hour and with the group minnows - Romania and Namibia - up first, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan felt the need to play his full-strength side right from the off.

"It was just unfortunate the way the matches fell," said Wallace. "Maybe if we had Namibia at the end of the group stages, and we had qualified already, the rest of the squad might have got a game against them."

To make matters worse, while Wallace waited for an opportunity Down Under, back home Bryn Cunningham was making the Ulster number 15 shirt his own.

So, after eight weeks without any competitive rugby Wallace has to be content with lining out for Ballymena tomorrow in the All-Ireland League, for the second time since his return. Not exactly the ideal preparation with the Heineken European Cup on the horizon.

"Competition now in Ulster is fierce because we have probably been the least affected of the three main provinces by the World Cup," he said.

"I think as regards the other players in the same boat as me - Neil Doak and Simon Best - competition for places in my positions is a lot stronger, so they have got their opportunity to get game time with Ulster rather than with their clubs. I just have to wait my turn."

Wallace's move up the professional ranks has been swift. He was outhalf on Ireland's under-19 World Cup-winning side in 1998, alongside Brian O'Driscoll and Donncha O'Callaghan, even scoring a try in the final against France. Yet, David Humphreys's presence looked set to stall any progression at provincial level.

However, Ulster coach Alan Solomons quickly identified his talent and moved him to full back, where he thrived in his rookie season, two years ago.

With his career just beginning a sharp upward curve, injury struck. A broken leg meant the eagerly anticipated second season never materialised.

"I was hoping last year would be a big year, but things went wrong for me. So at the start of this season I was looking forward to getting back and playing a season of games. I was lucky to get to the World Cup, but it stopped me playing matches. It has been almost a year and a half now without a real good amount of games.

"With David playing outhalf and Bryn doing very well at full back, it's just a matter of getting a chance and taking it when it comes along. In a long-term view I'd favour outhalf but I certainly enjoyed full back the year I broke into the Ulster squad. I just want to be on the pitch, somewhere."

Although Ulster are on top of the Celtic League and playing in the Celtic Cup final, on December 20th, the benchmark for the season is still progress in Europe. With Leicester, Stade Francais and Gwent Dragons making up the so-called Group from Hell, Wallace's versatility, at least from the bench, may prove too valuable to ignore.

"It's a terribly difficult group," said Wallace, "but hopefully big teams like Leicester might be more affected because they have so many of the English team in their ranks. After such a successful campaign in the World Cup, will they be able to get up for the European Cup? Hopefully not."

If he remains injury-free Wallace is sure to play some role in the campaign. A long and sustained period at the highest level may yet be his destiny. Fate is just hardening his will.