In seeking to define Paddy Wallace's rugby career to date it's impossible to skirt the issue of injuries. He's been more unfortunate than most, primarily through bad timing. Tomorrow at Lansdowne Road he edges ever closer to making his debut at Test level.

He's been chosen among the replacements as cover for outhalf Ronan O'Gara, although his versatility would allow him to play centre (he plays there with Ulster) and fullback.

Wallace has come tantalisingly close to a cap before only to be thwarted by injury. The most crushing example was when he was named in the Ireland squad to tour Australia, Tonga and Samoa in 2003. After the Perth Test several of the senior players departed for home and the rest made the journey to the Pacific Islands.

Wallace would have made his debut in one of the two games but picked up a foot injury. His role for the three weeks can be condensed into a duty of care for the team mascot, Broc: they were inseparable, despite the young Ulsterman's best efforts.

In 2005 he was selected to tour Japan with Ireland but broke his hand in a warm-up game prior to the squad's departure. Even when he did stay injury free, as was the case for a World Cup qualifier against Russia, he didn't play. A squad of 24 travelled and he didn't make the match 22.

He's always been touted as a player of potential, unleashed on the national consciousness as a member of the victorious Ireland team that won the 1998 Under-19 World Cup. He scored a gem of a try in their 18-0 win against France in the final that epitomised his qualities; great footwork and speed.

Others could have become slightly embittered by those experiences but not Wallace. He's focusing on what can be achieved rather than resenting fate's speed bumps. He can't wait for tomorrow. "It means absolutely everything and it's why I play rugby. After what I have gone through it's nice just to be in this position.

"I was gutted when I didn't win a cap on that Australia, Samoa and Tonga tour and felt the same way when I broke my hand. This time last year when things weren't happening, I took a decision to try and improve everything I could in terms of rugby: diet, weight training etc. I assessed everything in terms of my rugby development and refined the hard work for me to develop as a player."

He spent three years at UCD (he broke his leg in the second year) before being offered a contract by then Ulster coach Alan Solomons. At the start of the second season he broke his other leg in Swansea and at this stage the South African was employing him as a fullback or occasional inside centre.

He wanted to play outhalf but David Humphreys commanded that position - Wallace paid tribute to Humphreys and to how much he learnt from him. In Mark McCall's first season, as Humphreys was about to go away for the autumn internationals, Wallace tore ankle ligaments.

Opportunities were sparse on his return and he would eventually drop down to the AIB League with Ballymena just to get regular rugby. An injury to Jonny Bell facilitated his return to the Ulster team and for the past 18 months he's made the inside centre role his own.

"It is pretty similar, probably the closest to 10 you can have on the pitch. I have enjoyed it. I think it has brought on different parts of my game. I have focused on things I needed to improve; defence and contact skills in particular.

"There are still improvements to be made but my game has come on. I'd love a chance to play, just the opportunity. It doesn't matter where."