A spotlight on the Munster team

MARCUS HORAN
Height: 1.85m/6' 1" Weight: 103kg/16st 3lb Age: 30.

HC: 61 games (8 tries).

Arch competitor who's punched above his weight for years. his season, he's sacrificed some of his exceptional all-handling and running skills with a more workmanlike effort. Possibly his best campaign yet at scrum-time.

JERRY FLANNERY

Height: 1.80m/5' 11" Weight: 111kg/17st 6lb Age: 29.

HC: 21 games (3 tries).

Another ferocious competitor hewn out of Munster granite, his darts don't get the credit they deserve. His round-the-corner and one-off runs adds to Munster's armoury and he's rectified the occasional missed tackle.

JOHN HAYES

Height: 1.93m/6' 4" Weight: 125kg/19st 9lb Age: 34.

HC: 78 games (2 tries).

Astonishingly durable and enduring presence, the Bull is the final's most experienced campaigner. A true pillar of Munster's fringe defence, this has perhaps been his best scrimmaging campaign yet. A ligind alright.

DONNCHA O'CALLAGHAN

Height: 1.98m/6' 6" Weight: 108kg/17st Age: 29.

HC: 53 games (4 tries)

Can occasionally become distracted, but, if focussed, as he generally is on these occasions, has a honesty of effort and all-round work ethic second to none, be it tackling, mauling, hitting rucks as well as ultra-safe line-out option.

PAUL O'CONNELL

Height: 1.99m/6' 6" Weight: 108kg/17st Age: 28.

HC: 39 games (7 tries).

A relatively fresh man on a mission who has revelled in this cup run after World Cup and injury disappointments. Aerial skills awesome, his sheer desire and brute force make him the team's totemic figure to follow.

ALAN QUINLAN

Height: 1.90m/6' 3" Weight: 105kg/16st 7lb Age: 33.

HC: 58 games (13 tries).

What an Indian summer. The Tipp scrapper and scavenger may have lost some of the scampering runs of yore, but his ball-carrying, tackling, spoiling and line-out work have set him apart this season. An absolutely key ingredient.

DAVI WALLACE

Height: 1.88m/6' 2" Weight: 98kg/15st 6lb Age: 31.

HC: 62 games (9 tries).

Remains Munster's most potent ball-carrying forward in getting them over the gain-line, and almost unstoppable if he can get into his stride. A relatively open, fluid and fast- paced final under a closed roof could suit him perfectly.

DENIS LEAMY

Height: 1.87m/6' 2" Weight: 108kg/17st 0lb Age: 26.

HC: 29 games (9 tries).

Another true fighter. Has perhaps suffered for his versatility this season, but his honesty of effort and physicality remain undimmed. Has his bear-like hands full today and needs to keep his head and have a big game.

TOMÁS O'LEARY

Height: 1.80m/5' 11" Weight: 85kg/13st 5lb Age: 24.

HC: 14 games (2 tries).

An improved pass has helped him supplant Peter Stringer. A potent sniper, O'Leary brings a defensive physicality and work-rate to the mix, but needs to improve his passing and box-kicking from the semi-final.

RONAN O'GARA

Height: 1.83m/6' Weight: 83kg/13st 1lb Age: 31. HC: 74 games (8 tries, 129 cons, 203 pens, 12 drop goals, 943 pts).

As ever, the barometer of Munster's well-being. Superb game-reader and distributor, the best tactical kicker in Europe with great place-kicking accuracy in high-pressure games. Good start would infuse Munster with confidence.

DOUG HOWLETT

Height: 1.85m/6' 1" Weight: 89kg/14st Age: 29.

HC: 4 games (1 try).

All-time leading All Blacks' try scorer, Howlett's work-ethic and professionalism has quickly blended with the "star" Munster philosophy and Red Army. Superb finisher, brave, ultra committed defender who will roam.

LIFEIMI MAFI

Height: 1.79m/5' 10" Weight: 84kg/13st 3lb Age: 25.

HC: 14 games (2 tries)

Quiet off the pitch, becomes a tiger on it. Devastating side-stepper with sometimes stunning ball-handling skills. Brave too, he's bulked up and improved a sometimes suspect defence though still has a tendency to shoot up.

RUA TIPOKI

Height: 1.78m/5' 10" Weight: 92kg/14st 6lb Age: 32.

HC: 8 games (2 tries).

A hard-edged, no frills, no airs or graces man on a mission. Superb offloader, good stepper, and thunderous tackler, his experience and left boot have eased load on O'Gara. Three yellows in last four games. Take it handy Rua.

IAN DOWLING

Height: 1.81m/5' 11" Weight: 93kg/14st 9lb Age: 25.

HC: 17 games (4 tries).

Munster's adopted son of Kilkenny, Dowling is arguably their most improved player this season. Excellent work ethic, and stronger and more aware this season, witness offload to Howlett in semi-final in build up to Quinlan try.

DENIS HURLEY

Height: 1.88m/6' 2" Weight: 86kg/13st 7lb Age: 23.

HC: 2 games (0 pts).

His father was on the bench for Munster when they beat the All Blacks in '78, the Castleknock and Navan product has burst on to the team with striking composure. Safe under high ball, with good awareness and deft grubbers.