Ireland coach Eddie OSullivan has handed Wallace the task of replacing broken arm victim Keith Gleeson for Saturdays RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Lansdowne Road.

Following a decisive win over Wales and a thrilling triumph at Twickenham, victory over the struggling Scots would give Ireland only the seventh Triple Crown in their history and their first since 1985.

Even if France or England eventually dash their outside hope of landing the RBS 6 Nations title, a clean sweep of the Home Nations would still be cause for joyous celebrations in Dublin.

And for Wallace in particular, it would provide adequate compensation for failing to make the greatest show on earth.

I missed an important year of the World Cup build-up with a shoulder problem, he said.

In the end, it went against me because although I performed quite well in the warm-up matches just before the squad was announced, I was always playing catch-up and couldnt make up the lost ground.

It took me a little while to get over it but I never really thought my international career was over.

You always live in hope you will get another chance, so to get back in the side now is just brilliant. The fact we are playing for the Triple Crown just makes it even more of an honour.

I realise I have been out in the wilderness a little bit but I have been given the opportunity I was looking for and I will do everything in my power not to let it slip.