The finalists

A player-by-player guide compiled by Gerry Thornley

Munster

15. Jeremy Staunton

Age: 22. Height: 6' 1". Weight: 14st 9lbs.

International experience: Ireland A.

An innate footballing talent with real flair, Staunton is finally blossoming and re-inventing himself as a full back under the watchful eye of Alan Gaffney.

14. John Kelly

Age: 28. Height: 5' 10". Weight: 13st 12lbs.

International experience: Ireland.

Not a searingly quick winger, but clever, immensely hard-working, consistent and virtually error-free. A model pro and under-rated finisher, as evidenced by five tries in his last six games.

13. Mike Mullins

Age: 32. Height: 5' 10". Weight: 14st 9lbs.

International experience: Ireland.

Defensive blips resurfaced for a short spell when "freaked" by Ryan Constable at Ravenhill in September, but has regained confidence. Superbly fit, dynamic over the first 20, takes great lines and remains the second most potent Irish number 13.

12. Jason Holland

Age: 30. Height: 5' 9". Weight: 14st 9lbs.

International experience: Ireland A.

Not particularly quick or penetrative, but assumes a lot of responsibility, rarely loses the ball in contact and has an acutely sharp footballing brain - witness the contrasting kicks for two of the tries against Gloucester.

11. Mossie Lawlor

Age: 23. Height: 5' 9". Weight: 13st 7lbs.

International experience: Ireland U-21s.

Essentially another converted centre on the wing, Lawlor has ably filled a problem position in Anthony Horgan's absence. Munster's leading try scorer this term, particularly prolific in this competition.

10. Ronan O'Gara

Age: 25. Height: 6' 0". Weight: 13st.

International experience: Ireland/Lions.

Has overcome commonplace post-Lions fatigue after longer off-season. Ever-maturing, top-notch goal-kicker with a sound temperament and a 14-2 win-loss record this season.

9. Peter Stringer

Age: 25. Height: 5' 7". Weight: 11st.

International experience: Ireland.

Also14-2 this season, which has been his best yet. Remarkable work-rate and consistency, the quickest service around, his tactical kicking has improved and signs of a break being added. A bit too feisty at times.

1. Marcus Horan

Age: 25. Height: 6' 1". Weight: 16st 7lbs.

International experience: Ireland.

A breakthrough season for this exceptional talent. Has concentrated on the basics, surviving at the scrums against the 22-stone Bill Cavubati, Phil Vickery and others, while curbing the red mist. The trademark surges will follow.

2. Frankie Sheahan

Age: 26. Height: 5' 11". Weight: 16st 2lbs.

International experience: Ireland.

Hasmanfully returned from his annus horribilis a stronger player, rejuvenating his game and arguably playing better than ever. Throwing accurately, toiling away, he's also scored five tries in his last 10 Munster starts.

3. John Hayes

Age: 29. Height: 6' 4". Weight: 20st.

International experience: Ireland.

The Bull has emerged as a seasoned bulwark of both the Munster and Irish packs this season, quietening the critics come scrum time. Like Anthony Foley, does so much that's taken for granted and like Foley a 16-2 record this season.

4. Donnacha O'Callaghan

Age: 23. Height: 6' 6". Weight: 17st.

International experience: Ireland A.

Flourishing after an overdue run of top-flight games, and hence another for whom this has been a breakthrough year, O'Callaghan is one of the few truly dynamic, athletic modern-day Irish forwards around. Abrasive with it.

5. Mick O'Driscoll

Age: 24. Height: 6' 5". Weight: 16st 12lbs.

International experience: Ireland.

An athletic, primary ball-winner, O'Driscoll has actually only missed one Munster match this season, starting in all but four. Must be sick of comparisons with O'Connell, but responded with tour de force against Gloucester.

6. Jim Williams

Age: 34. Height: 6' 4". Weight: 16st.

International experience: Australia.

After a good start his form seemed to ebb compared to last season's high impact, but pound for pound he just contributes so much, especially in contact, and his leadership reached new heights against Gloucester.

8. Anthony Foley

Age: 29. Height: 6' 3". Weight: 17st.

International experience: Ireland.

A landmark season for this enduringly consistent number eight, reaching 100 caps for Munster, and 50 games in the European Cup. Sharp footballing brain, immense in contact and a 16-2 record this season.

7. Alan Quinlan

Age: 28. Height: 6' 3". Weight: 16st 7lbs.

International experience: Ireland.

More an off-the-ground, reluctant openside. Excellent line-out option. Often walks a tightrope, but perhaps needs to, and the daft moments are outnumbered by the many inspired and inspiring big plays. Six tries this season.

Neath

15. Adrian Durston

Age: 27. Height: 6' 0". Weight: 13st 8lbs.

International experience: Wales.

Versatile back who joined from Bridgend in the summer and has nailed down the full back slot in recent weeks. Elusive more than exceptionally quick, with one of the most notable sidesteps in the Welsh game. Likes to counter.

14. Gareth Morris

Age: 25. Height: 5' 11". Weight: 13st 6lbs.

Tried at full back this season, but reconverted to wing. A strong, abrasive, straight-running type, Morris will certainly test Mossie Lawlor's tackling technique if given the chance.

13. James Storey

Age: 26. Height: 6' 3". Weight: 14st 3lbs.

Son of the BBC athletics commentator, the English-born centre qualified by dint of the three-year residency rule. A tall, rangy runner who can be quite physical as well, though not had a great season so far.

12. Dave Tiueti

Age: 29. Height: 6' 0". Weight: 13st.

International experience: Tonga.

One  of the longer-serving, more successful Polynesian imports to Welsh rugby. Has played mostly on the wing for Tonga, which is testimony to his speed.

11. Shane Williams

Age: 25. Height: 5' 8". Weight: 12st 4lbs.

International experience: Wales.

Hasn't quite kicked on from Welsh breakthrough season three years ago though he's looked sharp this season. Small and quick, he is Neath's most potent attacking weapon.

10. Lee Jarvis

Age: 26. Height: 6' 0". Weight: 14st 7lbs.

International experience: Wales.

Match-winning goal-kicker, who has thrice filled his boots against Munster for Cardiff, Ponty and Neath. Defensively suspect, aka "The Speed Bump", because he tends to slow people down rather than stop them.

9. Andy Moore

Age: 34. Height: 5' 10". Weight: 13st 11lbs.

International experience: Wales.

The prodigal linchpin of Neath's game is enjoying an unexpected renaissance after returning from Treviso. Hugely influential, ninth forward type not renowned for his passing, but still a nippy, sniping presence.

1. Duncan Jones

Age: 24. Height: 6' 0". Weight: 17st 7lbs.

International experience: Wales.

Tousled-haired young loosehead would have more caps in a different era. Strong scrummager, he destroyed Dai Young in the semi-final, prompting the Cardiff player-coach to admit it was, "my day of reckoning".

2. Barry Williams

Age: 28. Height: 6' 0". Weight: 13st.

International experience: Wales.

Surprise pick on '97 Lions, never established himself at Test level. Returned last season from spells with Richmond and Bristol. A lively, mobile, ball-carrying hooker who needs big props either side of him.

3. Adam Jones

Age: 21. Height: 6' 2. Weight: 19st 11lbs.

International experience: Wales Under-21s.

The Welsh under-21 tight-head is a huge prospect, who's expected to progress to Test side one day. A big, strong young boy and already a well-regarded scrummager, he's possibly still carrying a bit too much poundage.

4. Andy Newman

Age: 25. Height: 6' 7". Weight: 19st 2lbs.

International experience: Wales A.

Joined in the summer from Northampton, where he won a European Cup final against Munster. A slightly old-style, front-of-the-line jumper and strongman who adds bulk to the Neath tight five.

5. Gareth Llewellyn

Age: 33. Height: 6' 6". Weight: 17st 7lbs.

International experience: Wales.

Wales' most capped forward ever and third most capped player with 71 Tests, Llewellyn is Neath's spiritual leader as well as captain.

6. Alfie Mocelutu

Age: 31. Height: 6' 4". Weight: 18st 6lbs.

International experience: Fiji.

Untypical for a Fijian - "I'm not a flair player" - the blindside is a hugely physical tackler and hardman who adds an abrasive edge to the Neath pack. Boasts, an, eh, colourful disciplinary record.

8. Nathan Bonner-Evans

Age: 24. Height: 6' 4". Weight: 16st 6lbs.

International experience: Wales A.

Important cog in the Neath pack, as evidenced by delay of hernia operation until after this final. A big, strong-running number eight and Neath's main yardage man if they get on the front foot.

7. Brett Sinkinson

Age: 32. Height: 6' 1". Weight: 16st 15lbs.

International experience: Wales.

A born-again Welshman, by way of three-year rule, after being embroiled in the grannygate saga, the Kiwi has been plagued by injuries this season. But, at his best, is one of the best continuity opensides around.