Paddy Wallace sat out Ireland's summer tour to the USA

Ulster and Ireland centre Paddy Wallace is hoping to get a slice of the action in Friday night's Magners League game against Connacht at the Sportsground.

"I had a good pre-season and I'm itching to get back and play some matches, so hopefully that will come against Connacht," said Wallace.

"I have enjoyed playing at centre for the last number of years and I've enjoyed my rugby most in that position.

"If I had a preference I would play at 12 but I'll play wherever I'm chosen."

"Ulster have played three competitive matches so far and I've only come off the bench so it would be nice to get into the starting XV, get some game time under my belt and really push for a place in Ireland's autumn international series."

The 30-year-old added that he was not happy with his sin-binning after coming on as a replacement in the second half of the 16-13 Magners League defeat by Edinburgh at Ravenhill.

"I thought the referee had a clear view of the tackle and didn't see anything wrong but unfortunately the touch judge decided to intervene.

"I was very disappointed as it turned out to be a pivotal moment in the match and really turned the momentum."

Wallace was part of the Ireland squad which took part in a training camp in Dublin last week but he is glad to be back in Belfast.

Paddy Wallace sat out Ireland's summer tour to the USA

"It's great to be involved with the Irish set-up but it's also nice to get some consistency and be back with Ulster on a weekly basis, training day in, day out and playing some matches.

"It's an indication of the strength of the squad that players involved with Ireland cannot come back and automatically expect a place in the team.

"A lot of the young guys are coming in and doing really well, after just lacking the opportunity in recent years.

"The likes of Willie Faloon has been training with the squad for a few years now, and Chris Henry too, but it is only now that they are getting their chance.

"If you want to do well for a full season of professional rugby then a strong squad is necessary and a bit of competition for places, which Ulster is developing now, is a good thing.

"Connacht will be a tough proposition - they always have been and we will expect nothing different this week.

"They are going to be chomping at the bit as they have ambitions of making the Heineken Cup and we are standing in their way.

"They had a good win over Cardiff Blues and will be eager to take another scalp so we are expecting a tough battle."

Wallace, who sat out Ireland's summer tour to the United States on medical advice after suffering head and facial injuries last season, is also high in his praise for the new Ulster coaching team, headed by Brian McLaughlin.

"They have given the team a lot of confidence and bring a lot of desire and have high ambitions for this team to be successful.

"We needed to believe that we were a better team than the results of recent years have indicated and if we take that belief on board and learn from certain mistakes made, then Ulster will be a much more competitive side."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version