He may be an outhalf in centre’s clothing but at his third tournament Paddy Wallace is relishing his first World Cup start, writes Gerry Thornley in the Irish Times.
"Finally, at his third World Cup, Paddy Wallace can tick a previously empty box. It would have been cruel beyond cruel if the 32-year-old had gone through another World Cup campaign without a game, though you always sensed Declan Kidney was as mindful of that as anyone.
"In 11 previous matches at World Cups, dating from the 2003, through ’07 and into this tournament, despite being on the bench in all four pool games four years ago (when things didn’t exactly go swimmingly for Ronan O’Gara and Ireland), Wallace was confined to a three-minute cameo in the endgame of the opening 32-17 win over Namibia.
"Even in the last throes of the campaign, when 30-15 down against Argentina and Gavin Duffy had replaced Denis Hickie, he was not brought on as a token gesture. 'I think me and Bryan Young were left holding hands that day,' he says with a chuckle.
"Needless to say, he’s fairly relieved and excited about his belated first World Cup start."
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