15. Conor O'Shea

Age: 28. Height: 6'2" Weight: 15st 8lbs. Caps: 23. Tries: 2 (3 pens, 1 dr gl, 1 con).

IN SUPERLATIVE form for London Irish and a frequent try scorer. The less orthodox his introduction into the line the more impact he provides. Needs to be more aware of when the pass is on.

14. Justin BishopAge: 24. Height: 6'. Weight: 13st 8lbs. Caps: 5. Tries: 1.

EXCELLENT broken playrunner, but must be decisive in possession. Greater concentration required when receiving passes. Never shirks responsibility.

13. Jonathan Bell

Age: 24. Height: 5'11". Weight: 15st 1lb. Caps: 24. Tries: 6.

SENSATIONAL defensive performance for Ulster against Colomiers in European Cup final. A decent run without injury threatens to allow him to tap his huge ability. Twenty-five tomorrow.

12. Kevin Maggs

Age: 24. Height: 5'11". Weight: 14st. Caps: 12. Tries: 2.

Excellent defender, offensive tackler. His strength and breaking surges must be tempered with a little more subtlety and variation.

11. Girvan Dempsey

Age: 23. Height: 6'2". Weight: 14st. Caps: 2. Tries: 2.

NATURAL full back, but an accomplished footballer and therefore at home on the wing. Not devastatingly fast, but a competent defender and balanced runner. Has displayed an aptitude for big matches.

10. David Humphreys

Age: 27. Height: 5'10". Weight: 13st. Caps: 11. Tries: 0 (8 pens, 2 dgs, 6 cons).

PLAYER of the year to date in Irish rugby. Wonderfully commanding for Ulster and displays a new found authority. Potential match winner.

9. Conor McGuinness

Age: 23. Height: 5'9". Weight: 13st 3lbs. Caps: 10. Tries: 1.

HAS shown an upsurge in form in recent matches for St Mary's, suggesting that he can reclaim the form of last season. Box kicking will have to be spot on.

1. Peter ClohessyAge: 32. Height: 5'11". Weight: 16st 12lbs. Caps: 23. Tries: 2.

Demonstrating superb form for Young Munster this season, very productive in the loose. This clash will offer a real test of his international standing as a loosehead prop and he will hopefully make his usual contribution around the pitch.

2. Keith WoodAge: 27. Height: 6'. Weight: 16st 10lbs. Caps: 19. Tries: 3.

INSPIRATIONAL figure with whom team-mates and the crowd alike can identify with. It would be great to see him used as a secondary, rather than primary, runner.

3. Paul WallaceAge: 27. Height: 6'. Weight: 17st 4lbs. Caps: 22. Tries: 4.

RECENT injury which caused him to miss the Springbok game allowed him a much needed break. Back fit and raring to go. Excellent scrummager his duel with Califano will be interesting.

4. Paddy Johns

Age: 30. Height: 6'6". Weight: 17st 4lbs. Caps: 46. Tries: 3.

HAS BEEN in outstanding form for Saracens. Influential leader who commands the respect of those around him through deed rather than word. Committed and abrasive, Ireland's hard edge.

5. Jeremy Davidson

Age: 24. Height: 6'6". Weight: 18st. Caps: 14. Tries: 0.

GIFTED athlete whose recovery from a serious knee injury has been measured rather than spectacular. Speed and work-rate in loose will have to match the man he replaces.

6. Dion O'Cuinneagain

Age: 26. Height: 6'3". Weight: 16st 5lbs. Caps: 5. Tries: 0.

ADDS dynamism to the back row. It will be interesting to see if the back row switch positions occasionally to confuse the French.

7. Eric Miller

Age: 23. Height: 6'3". Weight: 16st 3lbs. Caps: 10. Tries: 1.

His ability in defence will be tested as will his grasp of the unfamiliar openside role. Part of a very mobile back row.

8. Victor Costello

Age: 28. Height: 6'5". Weight: 18st 3lbs. Caps: 16. Tries: 3.

Rediscovering the form that he showed with Leinster. Made huge yardage in the pre-Christmas tests. Ireland must not overplay him as an attacking gambit.