Gary Longwell used to have an attitude problem. But he acknowledged his shortcomings in terms of commitment and application, got serious about his rugby and the reward is a place in Ireland's second row for Sunday's Test against South Africa at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland under-21, Ireland Students, Ireland A, Longwell had dipped his toes in the national representative scene since 1991 without taking the plunge: his work ethic and determination apparently lukewarm in a competitive environment. At 6 ft 7 ins and 18 st he had the raw material, bolstered by an excellent lineout presence and good mobility.

A successful development tour to Africa in 1993 should have been the springboard to higher honours. Longwell is candid in addressing why his career has fired only fitfully in the intervening years. "I came back from the development tour in 1993, which was a very successful one, but thereafter to be honest, I didn't play well and didn't train hard enough.

"My second chance came when I turned professional and it gave me a new target and new goals. I thought that when I was a professional player I still had a chance to play for Ireland and made that my goal."

Longwell was a central figure in Ulster's European Cup victory but the limit of his participation at national level was three A caps in 1999.

Ulster's horrific European campaign last season hardly augured well but on a personal level Longwell felt that he was growing stronger and developing with every season of professionalism. "Every year was making a difference, I was getting fitter and stronger. I had a very good pre-season this year and that stood me in good stead. Ulster's success had given me the confidence to play at international level. I knew I had the ability, it was just a matter of trying to get my chance."

The player pays tribute to the contribution of the Ulster management team and the increasing demands they placed on him this season. "I'm benefiting from playing in a good Ulster team and Harry Williams and Mark McCall have really looked after me, doing a lot of video analysis and getting me to look at my game objectively. They pointed out the areas I needed to work on and that has helped."

Those who have seen Ulster's European Cup matches this season have noticed the difference in Longwell's contribution, a view shared by the Irish team management. A quiet Sunday evening last week was transformed by a phone call requesting his presence in Dublin to cover for Paddy Johns, who had been laid low by a sore throat.

By the time Longwell arrived, Johns had all but recovered. Jeremy Davidson's thumb injury would provide an alternative route in the 22-man squad for the Japan match. "An awful lot of luck was involved in my first cap but that's the way it happens to most people." Perhaps more importantly on a personal level, Longwell had made his own luck. His performances this season and his attitude were beyond reproach.

His introduction as a second-half substitute for Johns last Saturday means that he shares a milestone with another great Ulster player, Willie Anderson, in that both won their first caps at 29 years of age. "Willie phoned me last week to wish me luck and told me that he had made his debut at 29 and went on to win 25 caps.

"I was delighted, thankfully I didn't have too much time to dwell on it. Brian O'Brien just came down and said `next stoppage and you're on.' When I crossed the line and got on the pitch it was a tremendous feeling, knowing that you are about to play for Ireland."

He views the South African game as a massive challenge and is unperturbed that he will have to jump at two instead of four in the lineout. This is his opportunity and he wants a great deal more than 15 minutes of fame.