The Ireland team
15 Rob Kearney
Age: 24
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 95kg (15st)
Caps: 25
Ruled the air on the veldts in the summer of 2009 when touring with the Lions so it’s doubtful if the Springboks will test him in that vein. Under-employed in attack at times.
14 Tommy Bowe
Age: 26
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 96kg (15st 2lb)
Caps: 32
He has provided Ireland with a real cutting edge and should profit if Ireland tweak their style to produce a ball-in-hand philosophy. He has matured into one of the finest backs globally.
13 Brian O’Driscoll (capt)
Age: 31
Height: 5ft 10in
Weight: 95kg (15st)
Caps: 103
Hasn’t played since the Racing Metro Heineken Cup game and while he’d like it to have been otherwise, he is still the team leader figuratively and tangibly.
12 Gordon D’Arcy
Age: 30
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 93kg (14st 8lb)
Caps: 49
Privately he’ll appreciate the moment in winning his 50th cap while publicly preferring to avoid the hoopla. Game breaker with great feet; possesses the strength to defy the odds in the physical collisions.
11 Luke Fitzgerald
Age: 23
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 92kg (14st 6lb)
Caps: 13
Runs sumptuous lines, has great balance and pace but like Kearney should be given a little more of the ball. If it doesn’t come his way then he’s got to go looking for it.
10 Jonathan Sexton
Age: 25
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 92kg (14st 6lb)
Caps: 8
He may be a fledgling international in terms of caps but he possesses the mental steel and the physical qualities to preside over Ireland’s patterns: genuine playmaker.
9 Eoin Reddan
Age: 27
Height: 5ft 9in
Weight: 86kg (13st 7lb)
Caps: 21
Very quick to the breakdown with good peripheral vision; he can spot gaps on the fringes and has the pace to exploit them. Occasionally needs to trust his instincts a little more.
1 Cian Healy
Age: 23
Height: 6ft
Weight: 110kg (17st 4lb)
Caps: 9
Makes a huge contribution around the pitch and is a very effective ball carrier, using both raw power and twinkle toes to beat the tackle: will be tested fully at scrum time and needs to be disciplined at ruck time.
2 Rory Best
Age: 28
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 106kg (16st 10lb)
Caps: 39
His accuracy out of touch will be vital if Ireland are to get a platform against a very good Springbok lineout: effective and cherished industry in all facets of the game.
3 Tony Buckley
Age: 30
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 130kg (20st 6lb)
Caps: 19
There is a tendency to focus solely on his performance at scrum time to determine his effectiveness but he brings so much around the pitch in attack and defence: deft touches and good awareness.
4 Donncha O’Callaghan
Age: 31
Height: 6ft 6in
Weight: 112kg (17st 8lb)
Caps: 63
These are exactly the occasions when more will be demanded of him as a senior player and leader. He will want to match the abrasive industry of Bakkies Botha.
5 Mick O’Driscoll
Age: 32
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 113kg (17st 10lb)
Caps: 19
He must shoulder the burden of calling the lineouts against one of the best technicians, Victor Matfield, while trying to play his own game. He’s been in great form lately.
6 Stephen Ferris
Age: 25
Height: 6ft 4in
Weight: 109 (17st 2lb)
Caps: 20
Injuries have periodically thwarted his ambition but when fully fit and primed is a devastating ball carrier with great hands and a thunderous tackler.
7 David Wallace
Age: 34
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 105kgs (16st 7lb)
Caps: 63
Another player who has been in a rich vein of form: strong and aggressive over the ball and in the tackle while also having the facility to be a line breaker.
8 Jamie Heaslip
Age: 26
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 109kgs (1st 1lb)
Caps: 27
He plays the game with a joie de vivre that underlines the enjoyment he derives from the sport. He’s as good as there is in his position, whatever the hemisphere. Can do it all.
– John O’Sullivan
