Wales Players ... Probable line-ups

GoalkeeperDanny Coyne Age: 33. Club: Burnley. Caps: 12. Goals: 0.

After Paul Jones' nightmare performance against Slovakia there is no clear number one goalkeeper in the Wales camp but Coyne looks most likely to start today.

Defenders

Sam Ricketts (right back) Age: 25. Club: Hull City. Caps: 15. Goals: 0.

Fairly solid left-sided defender who has become a regular for the Welsh and will probably start today at right back. The former Swansea City player is quick and capable when playing the ball out of defence but could still end up looking like a weak link here.

Gareth Bale (left back) Age: 17. Club: Southampton. Caps: 4. Goals: 1.

Highly-gifted left back who is presently the owner of British football's "next big thing" T-shirt. Regularly linked with a move to one of the big clubs, Bale is fast and dangerous from free-kicks as he proved with with a fine 25-yard goal in the 5-1 defeat by Slovakia.

James Collins (centre half) Age: 23. Club: West Ham. Caps: 15. Goals: 0.

Former Welsh Young Player of the Year who has taken his time to get established at West Ham but who has shown some form for the Premiership strugglers. An agile and strong centre back, the visitors need him to turn in a big performance today.

Lewin Nyatanga (centre half) Age: 18. Club: Derby County. Caps: 9. Goals: O.

Having succeeded his central defensive partner as young player of the year, the English-born teenager has enjoyed a couple of good loan spells at Sunderland and Barnsley this season. A good passer who can also play at left back but this will be a big test.

Midfielders

Simon Davies (right midfield) Age: 28. Club: Fulham. Caps: 37. Goals: 5.

Once seen as a possible replacement for Roy Keane at Manchester United, Davies has never quite hit the heights that were predicted for him a few years back. On his day, though, he is a well rounded midfielder who wins the ball, uses it effectively and possesses a fierce shot.

Carl Fletcher (central midfield) Age: 26. Club: Crystal Palace. Caps: 19. Goals: 0.

The Palace captain left West Ham after playing in last season's FA Cup final and has looked capable of making a far more pronounced impact on games at Championship level since. Will be an important figure as he looks to move the ball forward this afternoon and to link up with Ryan Giggs.

Carl Robinson (central midfield) Age: 30. Club: Toronto FC. Caps: 36. Goals: 1.

A tough and experienced central midfielder whose ability to break up Ireland's passing and to contain Stephen Ireland will be crucial to the visiting side's prospects .

Joe Ledley (left midfield) Age: 20. Club: Cardiff City. Caps: 9. Goals: 0.

Young left-sided midfielder who has caught the eye of manager John Toshack after a good season and a half with Cardiff City. He's quick and can cross the ball although he will rarely have come up against a defender of Steve Finnan's calibre.

Ryan Giggs (attacking midfield) Age: 33. Club: Manchester United. Caps: 60. Goals: 11.

One of the greatest British players of modern times, Giggs may not be as consistently brilliant as a few seasons ago but is still well capable of turning this game on its head if the mood takes.

Forwards

Craig Bellamy (lone striker) Age: 27. Club: Liverpool. Caps: 42. Goals: 11.

A lightening quick player who will look to spring the offside trap from close to the centre circle. Generally not the most lethal of finishers but Ireland will do well not to provide him with too many opportunities.