Ireland - player-by-player

John O'Sullivan profiles the Ireland team ahead of this afternoon's match against South Africa.

15 Girvan Dempsey

Age: 31. Province: Leinster. Height: 183cm. Weight: 91kg. Caps: 66.

Flawless positional play and reliable under the high ball. Underrated going forward, although he needs to be more aware of those around him after breaking the defensive line, or the supporting players need to make themselves heard.

14 Shane Horgan

Age: 28. Province: Leinster. Height: 193cm. Weight: 104kg. Caps: 48.

Excellent at chasing kick-offs and winning possession from restarts. His ratio of tries to Tests is exemplary and he's an underrated finisher. Strong, with and without the ball, and has a great work ethic.

13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt)

Age: 27. Province: Leinster. Height: 175cm. Weight: 91kg. Caps: 67.

The best centre in world rugby, he leads by example. Great poacher of the ball in the tackle area, he's got strength, agility and a step and punches well above his weight defensively. Adept at getting his hands through the tackle to offload.

12 Gordon D'Arcy

Age: 26. Province: Leinster. Height: 180cm. Weight: 90kg. Caps: 23.

The best footwork of anyone on the Irish team in the cluttered corridors of the midfield. Has the ability to slip in a half step that flummoxes tacklers. Great leg power allows him to break tackles, when it first appears he's been stopped. Good defender/poacher.

11 Andrew Trimble

Age: 22. Province: Ulster. Height: 188cm. Weight: 91kg. Caps: 9.

A powerful runner and difficult to put down. Ireland will refine his role and it's likely he'll see more ball - and not necessarily in the conventional winger's role. As with Shane Horgan, his footballing ability has allowed him to adapt from centre.

10 Ronan O'Gara

Age: 29. Province: Munster. Height: 180cm. Weight: 83kg. Caps: 63.

If you're looking to control a game then there isn't a better outhalf in the Northern Hemisphere. That accepted wisdom tends to overlook his distribution skills, which is a little unfair. Has worked hard on his defence and has a big-game temperament.

9 Peter Stringer

Age: 28. Province: Munster. Height: 170cm. Weight: 72kg. Caps: 69.

Great pass, voracious work-rate and one of the best broken-field defenders in the team. Gets insufficient credit for reading the game intelligently, arriving speedily at rucks and clearing ball. As for the alleged lack of a break, no one is perfect.

1 Marcus Horan

Age: 29. Province: Munster. Height: 185cm. Weight: 105kg. Caps: 40.

Correctly lauded for his footballing skills. Given that the scrum is a collective issue for the forwards and the fact that it's been depowered in recent years, he shouldn't cop as much flak but still does occasionally. Good ball carrier, mobile and has a great side-step.

2 Rory Best

Age: 24. Province: Ulster. Height: 180cm. Weight: 105kg. Caps: 4.

Strongly built hooker who carries ball well. His detractors should examine Ulster's lineout and its success and give him a little more credit. He is still young in front-row years, so one suspects the best (pun intended) is yet to come.

3 John Hayes

Age: 33. Province: Munster. Height: 193cm. Weight: 125kg. Caps: 65.

Ask any coach for whom he plays or any team-mate for that matter his value to the team and the response is the same: indispensable. A big man who goes about his job with quiet efficiency. And a veritable forklift in the lineout.

4 Donncha O'Callaghan

Age: 27. Province: Munster. Height: 198cm. Weight: 110kg. Caps: 27.

Has perfected the swan dive this season in celebrating tries. No one works or tries harder on the pitch. Good option at two out of touch and always on hand to lend the grunt to rucks and mauls. His support play has improved.

5 Paul O'Connell

Age: 27. Province: Munster. Height: 198cm. Weight: 111kg. Caps: 36.

The team's other leader and another player who advocates the "leading by example" method. Excellent in the lineout, he organises those around him and offers an inspirational presence. Unassuming everywhere except on the pitch. Has made the shortlist for world player of the year and is truly world class.

6 Neil Best

Age: 27 Province: Ulster. Height: 188cm. Weight: 100kg. Caps: 5.

Almost everyone lauds his destructive qualities, the abrasiveness, but he also has the ability to carry ball and run good support lines. A forward who won't suffer a panic attack if he finds himself in space.

7 David Wallace

Age: 30. Province: Munster. Height: 188cm. Weight: 103kg. Caps: 30.

Ireland's best ball carrier bar none and difficult to stop from close range. Possesses speed and strength and can cause havoc in open play. Great knack of ripping ball away while tackling the player in possession. At the top of his game.

8 Denis Leamy

Age: 25. Province: Munster. Height: 188cm. Weight: 108kg. Caps: 14.

Does everything well. It doesn't matter where he's picked, he'll turn up everywhere. A formidable physical presence with legendary hands. Expect him to switch with Wallace from Irish set-pieces.