15Paul Williams Age: 27. Height: 6ft 2ins. Weight: 96kg (15st 6lbs). Caps: 3 He is a brother of Gavin – who is among the replacements – and both are sons of All Black wing Brian. He moved from Clermont Auvergne to Sale a few months ago.
14David Lemi
Age: 28. Height: 5ft 9ins.
Weight: 75kg (11st 11lbs). Caps: 24
The former Bristol flyer has settled well at Wasps and offers a real threat out wide. May be small in stature but is a fine footballer.
13George Pisi
Age: 24. Height: 6ft 1in.
Weight: 98 kg (15st 10lbs). Caps: 3
The strong-running Taranaki centre has played Super 14 with the Blues and can also operate as a fullback. He’ll be charged with trying to curb the threat of Ireland’s captain.
12Seilala Mapusua
Age: 30. Height: 5ft 11ins.
Weight: 102kg (16st 10lbs). Caps: 14
A former English Premiership player of the year he invariably influences matches in a positive manner both with and without the ball. He’s very hard to stop and is a real class act.
11Alesana Tuilaga
Age: 29. Height: 6ft 1in.
Weight: 117kg (18st 6lbs). Caps: 17
Noted for his thunderous tackling and no-nonsense ball carrying that makes him a real physical handful on the hoof. Ireland will need to cut him down early.
10Tasea Lavea
Age: 30. Height: 5ft 9ins.
Weight: 89kg (14st). Caps: 0
He won four caps for New Zealand as a rugby league international and was touted as a potential All Black in the union code. He makes his debut this afternoon.
9Kahn Fotuali'i
Age: 28. Height: 6ft.
Weight: 96kg (15st 2lbs). Caps: 1
He is part of an inexperienced halfback pairing. He has played Super 14 rugby for the Crusaders and at a little over 15 stone he’ll be an obvious threat on the fringes of the breakdown.
1Zak Taulafo
Age: 27. Height: 6ft.
Weight: 122kg (19st 3lbs). Caps: 5
He was initially signed by Wasps on a relatively short-term contract but his impact in a short space of time saw him offered a three-year deal: excels everywhere.
2Mahonri Schwalger (capt)
Age: 32. Height: 5ft 11ins.
Weight: 106kg (16st 10lb). Caps: 25
The most experienced Samoan, caps wise, on the field, he is an abrasive ball-carrying forward and will be known to the Irish players from the time he spent at the Scarlets.
3Anthony Perenise
Age: 28. Height: 6ft.
Weight: 119kg (18st 10lb). Caps: 4
A powerful scrummager he spent 2009 with the Highlanders before joining the Hurricanes the following season. Was a member of the Hawkes Bay team in the recent ITM Cup.
4Filipo Lavea Levi
Age: 31. Height: 6ft 5ins.
Weight: 116kg (18st 8lbs). Caps: 11
The much travelled New Zealand-born lock has spent time playing rugby in Japan and Wales before taking up an offer with Newcastle.
5Kane Thompson
Age: 28. Height: 6ft 6ins.
Weight: 112kg (17st 9lbs). Caps: 14
Yet another New Zealand-born player he represented Samoa at the 2007 World Cup and also spent a short time with French club Dax. Can play number eight too.
6Ofisa Treviranus
Age: 26. Height: 6ft 2ins.
Weight: 99kg (15st 7lbs). Caps: 11
Connacht fans never really got to see him at his very best because of injury during his time there alongside his brother Ray Ofisa. A member of the Sevens team he can also play on the wing.
7Manaia Salavea
Age: 24. Height: 6ft.
Weight: 99kg (15st 7lbs). Caps: 2
He plays his rugby with French club side Narbonne for whom he featured regularly last season. Is noted for his speed.
8George Stowers
Age: 31. Height: 6ft 2ins.
Weight: 105kg (16st 8lb). Caps: 14
He has become first-choice number eight this season at London Irish taking away the jersey from Chris Hala’ufia on the merit of his performances. Has been in excellent form.
