The Welsh Threat

15 Kevin Morgan. Age 21. 6 caps. 178cm. 72kgs. First option is to run with the ball. Neat, balanced runner and brave under the high ball. Lightweight physique can be exploited in contact. Mustn't be given any latitude.

14 Wayne Proctor. Age 25. 35 caps. 183cm. 83kgs. Penchant for sustaining more than his fair share of injuries. Experienced wing: brave defender, good finisher. Denis Hickie's superior speed may give the Irishman an edge.

13 Allan Bateman. Age 33. 14 caps. 178cm. 84kgs. Wales's best player this season. Wonderfully talented centre whose ability to beat or break the tackle makes him a huge threat. Accomplished defender, good brain, great vision, Bateman could be a potential match-winner.

12 Leigh Davies. Age 22. 16 caps. 183cm. 99kgs. Wins a late call-up thanks to a shoulder injury to Scott Gibbs. Big, strong and direct, occasionally ponderous. A solid foil for his more creative partner in the centre.

11 Gareth Thomas. Age 23. 26 caps. 188cm. 104kgs. Not blessed with dynamic pace, he is nevertheless a much-utilised attacking gambit in the Welsh side because of his physique. Slow to turn, Eric Elwood will look to exploit this. Only one winner if Richie Wallace isolates him one-on-one.

10 Neil Jenkins. Age 26. 55 caps. 178cm. 90kgs. Prolific points scoring machine who is capable of winning a match single-handed. Decent distributor, no real threat running but can dictate proceedings through the boot.

9 Robert Howley. Age 27. 21 caps. 175cm. 83kgs. Along with Justin Marshall and Joost Van der Weisthuizen can lay claim to a place in top echelon of scrum-halves. Hasn't been as influential this season, but the Irish back row will still have to be very vigilant.

1 Andrew Lewis. Age 24. 8 caps. 178cm. 107kgs. Suffered something of a torrid time on his last visit to Dublin when Paul Wallace was his tormentor, particularly in the last 20 minutes. Has improved since then: mobile, good hands and now a decent scrummager.

2 Garin Jenkins. Age 30. 34 caps. 175cm. 107kgs. The hooking berth has been something of a revolving door in recent years for Wales. Jenkins is a squat, combative dynamo who will relish the physical challenge but is not the force he once was.

3 David Young. Age 30. 26 caps. 183cm. 117kgs. Very good in the set pieces, Young was touted as the Lions Test prop prior to the tour in South Africa but had to give second best to Paul Wallace. Experienced campaigner who shouldn't contribute too much outside of the tight.

4 Michael Voyle. Age 28. 11 caps. 196cm. 107kgs. Only really established himself in the Wales team this season playing two Tests against the USA and the matches against Canada, New Zealand, Italy, England and Scotland. Competent performer.

5 Andrew Moore. Age 24. 3 caps. 201cm. 113kgs. Graduated through the underage sides but a sustained serious knee injury when playing for Cardiff against Toulouse in the European Cup in 1996. Out for two years he has now recovered and is regarded as an outstanding prospect.

6 Robert Appleyard. Age 25. 7 caps. 185cm. 102kgs. The former karate champion has been having something of a head-to-head battle with Scott Quinnell since winning his first cap against Canada. Dropped for Quinnell prior to the English game, he came on and retained his place for the Scottish match.

7 Kingsley Jones. Age 28. 7 caps. 180cm. 100kgs. Something of an occasional participant on the senior side. He played against Ireland last season, albeit coming on as a replacement. Traditional openside, his tussle with Andy Ward will be one of the key battles.

8 Colin Charvis. Age 25. 9 caps. 189cm. 106kgs. More a flanker than a number 7, Charvis's international career has been dogged by injury. Those with a good memory will recall that it was Charvis whom Denis Hickie just eluded to score a try in the Arms Park last year. Hard working and powerful but not a bona fide number 8.