DAN Ward-Smith is holding out for that one moment that will define his season.

The back row forward has improved steadily all year and has been nothing short of a revelation filling in at lock in the past few weeks.

But he still believes he has something to prove and knows exactly how he wants to do it.

He said: “I’ve got visions of how well I can play and maybe one day I’ll put in a performance I can be proud of.

“What I’d really like to happen at some stage this season is to get a big break and run away for a 60-yard try.

“That would make people sit up and take notice. It’s something I’m definitely capable of, I just haven’t had the opportunity.”

Ward-Smith was fingertips away last weekend, when he tried for an intercept on the half-way line.

Not many forwards would be tipped to out-run a back over 50m. Ward-Smith is one that would be.

He said: “Speed is very difficult to teach. You’ve either got it or you haven’t but thankfully it comes naturally to me.

“I’d definitely have got there against Gloucester. With intercepts everyone is going the opposite way so you should pretty much always score.”

Never mind going forward, Ward-Smith’s pace has bailed Wasps out more than once defensively recently and his energy around the pitch has been phenomenal. Twice recently he’s raced over the turf to make try-saving tackles while his first score at Adams Park was against Irish when he popped up on the right wing.

He said: “I try to get around the pitch no matter what position I’m playing.

“But playing number eight, you’re required to go to that first ruck and that ties you up for the next few phases.

“Earlier in the season, when the ball was wet, it was often kicked away before I had a chance to touch it again.

“Lock is a lot more tiring. It was an eye-opener how much scrum time saps your energy, but at the same time you’re not required at the first ruck so you’ve got the opportunity to have a ball carry in the second or third phase.”

Ward-Smith did play in the second row as a youngster, but his recent switch was borne out of necessity.

He said: “Tony [Hanks] phoned me up before Newcastle and said ‘Dan Leo is injured, so is Richard Birkett, George Skivington is away with the Saxons and Simon Shaw is with England’.

“There was literally no one left. Marty Veale and myself were the only people with a realistic chance of playing second row.

“I think it went fairly well though. My scrummaging work and line-outs were pretty solid. That’s the main difference between back row and second row – after that it’s pretty much the same game.”

“I still consider myself a back row forward first and foremost, but I enjoy a new challenge and it’s always nice to add a few strings to your bow.

“But we’ve got some great players in the second row. I can’t see many eventualities where I’d be required.”

A day after this interview Wasps announced Skivington’s defection to Leicester.

At the age of 32, Ward-Smith might find his career taking a new direction.