Former Lion prepares to rejoin the Irish pride

Warm weather and it's pre-season training. It's a time of long evenings and short sprints, runs of 10 to 20 metres on firm ground, when players again begin to measure each other's strengths.

The hares on the squad are often defined by position. Denis Hickie is the benchmark. Beat the winger over the distance and people take notice. Some get close. Brian O'Driscoll? Maybe. Gordan D'Arcy? Perhaps. David Wallace?

"He would probably be the quickest over that short distance," says Peter Stringer. "He'd be up there alright with the likes of Denis. David Wallace is extremely quick."

Forwards aren't supposed to accelerate like wingers, and Wallace hasn't had much chance in recent years to show his oomph. In an Irish back row that has become defined by injury and replacement, the openside flanker's time has come around again. His patience has been tested, but with Alan Quinlan, Eric Miller and now Keith Gleeson sidelined, coach Eddie O'Sullivan has looked to the Garryowen player to find the form that once had him marauding with the Lions.

His time on the fringes has made Wallace cautious. As Ireland stack up with talented back-row players, it has also made him more committed to taking his chance against Scotland.

"I wasn't sure what way they (selectors) were going to go," he says. "There were a few options. Yeah, it's come after a few frustrating years. The last Six Nations match I played was two years ago. I've played about four internationals since then, but to get back in - I'm just relishing the moment."

Wallace's inclusion is popular. Few would have contested bringing in the dynamic line-buster Victor Costello as Gleeson's replacement in a reshuffle, but like D'Arcy's pick in the centre and latterly Geordan Murphy's on the left wing, there is an appreciation that players of natural ability deserve to be on the stage.

"David Wallace would be a stronger ball-carrier," O'Sullivan said yesterday. "He's bigger and faster. A different athlete. Keith Gleeson would be a better player on the ground. They do things differently. We're not weaker with David Wallace there.

"The back row has functioned very well in the championship so far, so we decided to stick with Simon (Easterby) at six. We're going for Wally because of experience and he's been playing pretty well."

It was a shoulder operation after the 2002 season that pushed Wallace to the back of the queue. Since then he has had to adjust to being one of the team's discards.

"The original injury was against Wales during the foot-and-mouth internationals that were played in the autumn. I basically played out the season and then had the operation," he says. "There is a high attrition rate in this position. We're in the front line. Players are getting fitter, faster and stronger. There is going to be more injuries. I've been out in the wilderness a bit. I know what that's like. Given a chance like this to get back in I am going to do everything in my power not to let it slip."

Aged nine when Ireland won their last Triple Crown in 1995, Wallace has only vague recollections of the moment. Michael Kiernan worked with his father back then. It was an easy journey to make for Kiernan, from work colleague to rugby idol in the Wallace home. Drop goals would have been a back garden priority.

"A few rugby balls in the garden and a few broken window panes. After watching the match for five minutes you'd just get the urge and go out," says Wallace.

When he missed out on the original pick for last year's World Cup, Wallace put his shoulder to the wheel. With Munster struggling, the sparkle was difficult to find in Celtic Cup matches, but he has impressed O'Sullivan at the squad sessions.

"I was living in hope," he says. "I was putting in the hard work and doing everything you can to get back in there. You have to be hopeful. You have to believe you can get in there some day."

Saturday may be that some day.