DISAPPOINTMENT can have a two fold effect. It can diminish will and lead to a passive acceptance of failure. But, equally, it can sharpen the senses and renew determination.

Niall Woods, recalled to the Ireland side after a year's absence to play on the left wing against France in Paris tomorrow, has been put to the test of reacting to acute disappointment and experienced the fluctuating fortune that goes with sporting participation. In that regard nothing was more disappointing for him than his omission from the Ireland World Cup squad last summer.

He had won two caps against Australia in the summer of 1994 and was a member of the Ireland squad last season. If his selection for the team was never what one could term assured, he was in there as a leading contender right through the season.

Hue won his third cap against England at Lansdowne Road in January of last year, and while he lost his place for the next match against Scotland in Murrayfield to Jonathan Bell, who was chosen on the left wing, Woods was back to play against France when Bell was forced to withdraw because of injury. France scored two late fries to win by 21-7, and one of them was scored by Woods' immediate opponent, Emille N'Tamack.

When Ireland faced Wales in the final match of the championship, Woods lost out this time to Richard Wallace, by then recovered from an injury that had kept him inactive for six months and cost him his place on the tour to Australia.

Ireland went to Italy in May for a pre World Cup warm up match. And while by that time Bell has moved to the centre, a new challenger had emerged for the wing berths Darragh O'Mahony had impressed in the Ireland A team. And it was O'Mahony who was chosen against Italy and as one of the three wings in the World Cup squad, together with Wallace and Simon Geoghegan.

In contrast to Woods' experience exactly 12 months previously, when he was on the tour to Australia and been capped twice, Woods had to resign himself to a summer elsewhere while the World Cup drama was played out in South Africa.

It was the type of setback and disappointment that might have sapped the will and determination of a lesser man. However acute his disappointment, to his great credit he put it behind him. In fact, he went and played club rugby in Australia last summer. He played a significant part in Leinster's great run off success this season and his performances against Milan in the European Cup, The Exiles in Sale and most recently for the Ireland A team against Scotland and for Leinster against New South Wales did not go without reward.

"I was very disappointed to lose out for the World Cup, but honestly I do not see any point in dwelling on it or harping on it," says Woods. "It is futile to look back in those circumstances. It is gone and over. I have that well behind me. We are in a different situation now, and so am I."

Woods is a member of a family in which rugby was and is a central part of life. His father, Johnny, was a stalwart of the Blackrock College club, played for Leinster and in a final trial.

"Things have gone fairly well for me this season and I felt I had a chance and was obviously hoping.

But I did not think I would get in for this match," says Woods. "I was fortunate to be in a Leinster side that has played well this season and obviously that was a help Then I had a fairly good match in the Ireland A side and that also helped."

Woods' defence was not a strong part of his game, but he has worked assiduously on it and improved in that element considerably, a point acknowledged by Ireland manager Pat Whelan at the team announcement last Saturday.

He is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with N'Tamack, his direct opponent again tomorrow. Playing in Parc des Princes does not worry Woods. "Playing against an opponent like that will concentrate the mind and sharpens your concentration level," he says.

N'Tamack was the last opponent Woods faced at international level and while he does not say so, he may well feel he owes N'Tamack one since last year when the Frenchman scored in Dublin. But he has played directly against David Campese, most recently for Leinster last Friday week, but Campese only lasted six minutes in that game. But he also faced Campese in the tests in Australia and came out well of the encounters.

Woods is a better player now than when last he wore the Ireland jersey. "I am really looking forward to the match and to playing in Paris," he says.

The last Ireland player to score a try against France in Paris was Alfred McLennan in 1980. He too played on the left wing. Nothing would please Woods more than to emulate that feat and to be part of an Ireland side to end the long wait for a victory in the French capital.