Relaxed Clohessy aims for World Cup

For Peter Clohessy, Sunday's Italian job represents a third coming after the second of two suspensions, and you sense he'd rather return in a low-key way. But for "The Claw", it was always going to be the main gate and in full glare.

His last outing for Ireland having prompted the second suspension, it could hardly be any other way. But whereas the print media merely referred to that fateful day in March 1996 when he stamped on Olivier Roumat, RTE showed the incident.

Young Munster weren't impressed and neither was Clohessy, describing it as "a cheap shot", adding: "I wasn't too happy about it anyway. It's nearly two years old at this stage and it's in the past as far as I am concerned."

It is said with a smile though, and clad in denims back in the Richmond Hill Hotel after a strenuous day's activity, Clohessy seems relaxed and content.

The ban and the two years on the outside looking in clearly strengthened his resolve. "My ambition was to get back onto the Ireland team. Even when I started to come back playing after my suspension my aim was to get back playing for Ireland again, even if it was only for one game."

To prove something to himself or to other people? "Both, I suppose really. A lot of people felt `he'll never again play for his country'. " And he leaves it at that.

You're left to wonder whether he stills harbours a grudge or sense of victimisation; whether he has privately admitted and rectified what was clearly a problem for him. But, at 31, and given a lot of time for contemplation, he does seem older and wiser? "Yeah definitely.

"They were disappointing but like I say I'd like to put it behind me, and I haven't looked back since, touch wood," is all he'll say about those days in the wilderness.

There were times when, he admits, he didn't think this day would ever come. "At the start (of the suspension) I thought about giving it up. Basically my family convinced me not to really."

The last two years went quicker than they might have done thanks to a stint with Queensland in the Super 12s. That flew, and was curtailed by selection for the Lions which, in the event, failed to materialise due to a back injury.

Paul Wallace maximised his opportunity and for Clohessy there was no envy. "He had a fantastic tour. I was delighted to see him doing well."

Now the ball is on the other foot, for it is Wallace's injury which affords Clohessy this opportunity. "I was delighted to get picked but I'd prefer to have been picked rather than filling in for an injury. But having said that it's in my hands now how I play in Italy."

He looks and admits that he's fitter than he ever was before, laughing readily at the notion that he mightn't always have been the fittest in the past. "I am fitter I suppose. With the professional era, I'm training a lot more than I was before."

At 31, and with a grade one, three-year contract, he still has time to fulfil a few more ambitions. "Win a few more caps for Ireland. I'd love to be on a Triple Crown team and I haven't played in a World Cup. I'd love to play in the next World Cup."