Derek Hegarty (22, Terenure, scrum-half)

This caps what is effectively his first full season at AIL Division One level. Hegarty oscillated between out-half and scrumhalf while at school in Terenure, when he was a substitute on the 1993 Cup-winning side, played at scrum-half on the 1994 Cup-winning side and captained the team from out-half the next year. He also captained the Leinster team to victory in the schools' interprovincials, but was two days too old to qualify for the Irish schools that year.

Hegarty won a rugby scholarship at UCD, where he studied commerce, winning a McCorry Cup medal and breaking into the Colours side and playing for the Leinster under-19s, 20s and 21s. He joined Terenure last season, eventually breaking through after Niall Hogan's departure. He has been one of the few eyecatching performers for Terenure this season, a pugnacious sniping presence behind the pack with an eye for the tryline. Within the space of 24 hours he had offers of an Oxford scholarship or a Leinster contract for next season, eventually opting for the latter.

John Hayes (24, Shannon, tight-head)

The 6ft 4in, 19 1/2 stone, converted tighthead from Cappamore didn't begin playing rugby until he was 18, and that was as a lock with the Bruff under-20 side. He then spent two years on the Shannon under-20s and earned a few appearances on the first of Shannon's four-in-a row team. Hayes then went to New Zealand, playing with a Marist club in Invercargill for a couple of years and began dabbling as a loose-head. On returning to Shannon Hayes had filled out noticeably.

This is his first year as a tight-head and he's probably the type of player who would benefit more than most from a full-time contract (he's currently a welder by trade), which should now be more likely. Scrumagging is the area he needs most work on, but in most other areas he's good - a renowned lifter, mobile, hits the rucks and puts in the big hits.

Bernard Jackman (22, Clontarf, hooker)

Born in Dublin, the 6ft 1in and 15st 10lb Jackman was educated at Newbridge College and is a student at Dublin City University. On leaving school, he first joined Lansdowne where he played for a couple of seasons before moving on to Clontarf and linking up with Brent Pope.

The Kiwi influence was extended when he came under the wing of Gatland at Connacht this season, winning a few appearances as a substitute in his capacity as understudy to Billy Mulcahy. Jackman is a big, physically strong hooker who can be a dynamic and potent runner in the loose.

Trevor Brennan (24, St Mary's, blind side flanker)

Came through the unorthodox route from Scoil Bride and Barnhall before eventually arriving at St Mary's this season via Bective Rangers. Brennan brings with him a huge physique - 6ft 3in and 16st 5lb - and a healthy irreverence and aggressiveness on the pitch which admittedly can cross the line on occasion.

A huge, big-hitting tackler who has become a more rounded player this season, both in his ability to recycle the ball and offload in the tackle. Can also be used in the line-outs and could conceivably provide cover at lock. Needs to lower his body positioning when carrying the ball and to hit more rucks, but one for whom this tour is a timely long-term investment. Made of the right stuff.

Dion O`Cuinneagain( 26, Sale, number eight)

The South African O'Cuinneagain's parents, none too surprisingly, hail from Ireland from where they emigrated to South Africa. The 6ft 3in, 16st 5lb number eight made his first representative appearance for Ireland in the recent A international against England at Richmond, where he looked more of a ballplaying forward and less of the hardened South African one expected, but presumably his experience of the high altitude and the hard grounds told in his favour.