A look at the Ireland team
15 Girvan Dempsey
Leinster
Age: 31 Height: 6ft
Caps: 69 Weight: 14st 4lb
Back at his rock-solid best, but also having added an attacking edge to his game. With a recently acquired sidestep, is living proof an old dog can learn new tricks.
14 Andrew Trimble
Ulster
Age: 22 Height: 6ft 2in
Caps: 10 Weight: 14st 4lb
An explosive runner and can break the gain line. He has added strength and his elbows-and-knees style of running makes him difficult to bring down.
13 Brian O'Driscoll
Leinster
Age: 28 Height: 5ft 10in
Caps: 70 Weight: 14st 10lb
Blends vision and wonderful balance with durability and a work-rate that makes him playmaker, line-breaker, try-scorer and part-time flanker. Even has a ghost pass.
12 Gordon D'Arcy
Leinster
Age: 26 Height: 5ft 11in
Caps: 26 Weight: 14st 2lb
Ireland's best player these last six months? Heresy perhaps, but O'Driscoll's partner has created so much for Leinster and Ireland and gained so many yards in heavy traffic.
11Denis Hickie
Leinster
Age: 30 Height: 6ft 1in
Caps: 53 Weight: 14st 6lb
Deserves to be starting on the left wing after again demonstrating his pedigree. Ireland's best finisher and lethal in broken play, where he can still turn on the gas.
10 Ronan O'Gara
Munster
Age: 29 Height: 5ft 11in
Caps: 66 Weight: 13st
Tactical play and place-kicking make him a leader. Works hard on his defence, but his least-recognised qualities are his big-game temperament and distribution skills.
9Peter Stringer
Munster
Age: 29 Height: 5ft 7in
Caps: 72 Weight: 11st 4lb
When they said he lacked a sniping instinct, he began sniping. When they said he was too small, he began to make standout tackles. Whipped pass is now a part of Irish scenery.
1Marcus Horan
Munster
Age: 29 Height: 6ft 1in
Caps: 42 Weight: 16st 7lb
May get some grief at scrum-time, where elemental power might not be there. But his mobility with the ball, sidestep and general football skills make him a huge asset.
2Rory Best
Ulster
Age: 24 Height: 5ft 11in
Caps: 7 Weight: 16st 7lb
Has taken possession of the position while Jerry Flannery reaches full fitness and as a young player this stint will do him no harm. Carries the ball well and has good strength.
3John Hayes
Munster
Age: 33 Height: 6ft 4in
Caps: 68 Weight: 19st 9lbs
Reputedly the first name on O'Sullivan's team sheet. Plays an unfussy game based around his phenomenal, natural strength, which allows him clean out with ease.
4Donncha O'Callaghan
Munster
Age: 27 Height: 6ft 6in
Caps: 30 Weight: 17st 4lb
His industry in the second row is not always eye-catching, though at rucks and mauls always willing to put his body on the line.
5Paul O'Connell
Munster
Age: 27 Height: 6ft 6in
Caps: 39 Weight: 17st 7lb
A natural leader, he inspires those players around him and puts fear into opposition.
6Simon Easterby
Llanelli
Age: 31 Height: 6ft 3in
Caps: 52 Weight: 15st 8lb
Leadership qualities, as captain of Llanelli, and knowledge of the Welsh team will be off major benefit.
7David Wallace
Munster
Age: 30
Height: 6ft 2in
Caps: 32
Weight: 16st 2lbs
Probably the best ball-carrier on the side and, especially from close range, has explosive driving ability.
8Denis Leamy
Munster
Age: 26 Height: 6ft 2in
Caps: 17 Weight: 17st
Has the spark that teams need. Wants to
be involved in everything and has an appetite to get his hands on the ball.
Ireland
Johnny Watterson
