Ireland pen pics

A look at the Ireland team

15 Girvan Dempsey

Leinster

Age: 31 Height: 6ft

Caps: 69 Weight: 14st 4lb

Back at his rock-solid best, but also having added an attacking edge to his game. With a recently acquired sidestep, is living proof an old dog can learn new tricks.

14 Andrew Trimble

Ulster

Age: 22 Height: 6ft 2in

Caps: 10 Weight: 14st 4lb

An explosive runner and can break the gain line. He has added strength and his elbows-and-knees style of running makes him difficult to bring down.

13 Brian O'Driscoll

Leinster

Age: 28 Height: 5ft 10in

Caps: 70 Weight: 14st 10lb

Blends vision and wonderful balance with durability and a work-rate that makes him playmaker, line-breaker, try-scorer and part-time flanker. Even has a ghost pass.

12 Gordon D'Arcy

Leinster

Age: 26 Height: 5ft 11in

Caps: 26 Weight: 14st 2lb

Ireland's best player these last six months? Heresy perhaps, but O'Driscoll's partner has created so much for Leinster and Ireland and gained so many yards in heavy traffic.

11Denis Hickie

Leinster

Age: 30 Height: 6ft 1in

Caps: 53 Weight: 14st 6lb

Deserves to be starting on the left wing after again demonstrating his pedigree. Ireland's best finisher and lethal in broken play, where he can still turn on the gas.

10 Ronan O'Gara

Munster

Age: 29 Height: 5ft 11in

Caps: 66 Weight: 13st

Tactical play and place-kicking make him a leader. Works hard on his defence, but his least-recognised qualities are his big-game temperament and distribution skills.

9Peter Stringer

Munster

Age: 29 Height: 5ft 7in

Caps: 72 Weight: 11st 4lb

When they said he lacked a sniping instinct, he began sniping. When they said he was too small, he began to make standout tackles. Whipped pass is now a part of Irish scenery.

1Marcus Horan

Munster

Age: 29 Height: 6ft 1in

Caps: 42 Weight: 16st 7lb

May get some grief at scrum-time, where elemental power might not be there. But his mobility with the ball, sidestep and general football skills make him a huge asset.

2Rory Best

Ulster

Age: 24 Height: 5ft 11in

Caps: 7 Weight: 16st 7lb

Has taken possession of the position while Jerry Flannery reaches full fitness and as a young player this stint will do him no harm. Carries the ball well and has good strength.

3John Hayes

Munster

Age: 33 Height: 6ft 4in

Caps: 68 Weight: 19st 9lbs

Reputedly the first name on O'Sullivan's team sheet. Plays an unfussy game based around his phenomenal, natural strength, which allows him clean out with ease.

4Donncha O'Callaghan

Munster

Age: 27 Height: 6ft 6in

Caps: 30 Weight: 17st 4lb

His industry in the second row is not always eye-catching, though at rucks and mauls always willing to put his body on the line.

5Paul O'Connell

Munster

Age: 27 Height: 6ft 6in

Caps: 39 Weight: 17st 7lb

A natural leader, he inspires those players around him and puts fear into opposition.

6Simon Easterby

Llanelli

Age: 31 Height: 6ft 3in

Caps: 52 Weight: 15st 8lb

Leadership qualities, as captain of Llanelli, and knowledge of the Welsh team will be off major benefit.

7David Wallace

Munster

Age: 30

Height: 6ft 2in

Caps: 32

Weight: 16st 2lbs

Probably the best ball-carrier on the side and, especially from close range, has explosive driving ability.

8Denis Leamy

Munster

Age: 26 Height: 6ft 2in

Caps: 17 Weight: 17st

Has the spark that teams need. Wants to

be involved in everything and has an appetite to get his hands on the ball.

Ireland

Johnny Watterson