Backrow forwards

Another selfless, tireless worker who added to his perhaps overstated lineout skills with a more dynamic and influential championship last year - arguably his best in an Irish jersey. Intelligent, clever player, who's also an excellent defender and spoiler at breakdown, where he was missed on Saturday.

The best ball-carrying forward in Irish rugby, he has convinced a sceptical O'Sullivan by augmenting his dynamism with greater effectiveness at the breakdown in recent years. A troublesome calf problem in pre-season is a worry, especially as he's the only real seven in the squad.

The one-time schoolboy firebrand has become another of the untouchables. A teak-tough, outstanding footballer, superb in contact, who can come up with big plays and tackles big, he can also get down and dirty with bear-like hands at the breakdown.

A little one-dimensional but he fearlessly revels in the collisions and, as he showed last autumn against the Boks and Wallabies, can mix it with the big guys, either carrying or, more likely, making big hits. Also an excellent counter-attacker and lineout option, like Quinlan he can overstep the line.

An awesome physical specimen and undoubted talent, quick, big and strong, he's the prototype for a modern-day backrower. Versatility edged him ahead of specialists, though more a six or eight than a natural seven. Will bring plenty of ballast to the Irish mix, though it's unclear exactly how or in what role.