An overview of the 14 Irish players picked for the 2009 Lions Tour

Rob Kearney

Age: 23. Position: Wing. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 14st 2lb. Ireland caps: 11. Lions appearances: 0.

Outstanding schools player at Clongowes, quickly graduated through underage national teams to full Ireland debut against Argentina on 2007 summer tour. Excelled the following season particularly against New Zealand and Australia. Ever-present at fullback as Ireland won Grand Slam. Great natural ability with a big left boot.

Tommy Bowe

Age: 25. Position: Wing. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 15st 2lb. Ireland caps: 23. Lions appearances: 0

Craigavon-born player has scored 10 tries in 23 caps since Ireland debut against the USA in 2004, including arguably his most important against Wales in Grand Slam decider. Switched from Ulster to the Ospreys last season and has been a stand out performer for Ireland. Strong, quick, athletic, can play fullback, wing and centre.

Luke Fitzgerald

Age: 21. Position: Centre. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 13st 7lb. Ireland caps: 7. Lions appearances: 0

Made Ireland debut against the Pacific Islands in 2006 having enjoyed a brilliant schools career that saw him win a Triple Crown with the national side and a Leinster Senior Cup with Blackrock. Member of Grand Slam winning team this season – scored two tries against Italy – is a gifted athlete who can play wing, fullback and centre.

Brian O'Driscoll

Age: 30. Position: Centre. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 15st 0lb. Ireland caps: 93. Lions appearances: 10

Came to prominence with hat-trick of tries for Ireland against France in 2000. Has gone on to play 93 matches for Ireland, more than 50 as captain, scoring 36 tries. For most of the last decade has been the best centre in world rugby. Toured with Lions in 2001 and was captain in 2005, only to suffer infamous spear tackle.

Keith Earls

Age: 21. Position: Centre. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 14st 2lb. Ireland caps: 2. Lions appearances. 0

Won Munster Schools Senior Cup medal with St Munchin’s in 2006, Grand Slam with Ireland Under-20 team in 2007 before making huge impact with Munster. Made Ireland debut against Canada at Thomond Park last November, scoring try with first touch of the ball. Son of former Young Munster flanker Ger, fulfilling outstanding potential.

Ronan O'Gara

Age: 32. Position: Outhalf. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st. Ireland caps: 87. Lions appearances: 11

Ireland's record points scorer (919) has been a pivotal figure for Munster and Ireland in three Triple Crowns, two Heineken Cups and Grand Slam. Toured with the 2001 and 2005 Lions, playing one Test. Has matured into great outhalf, at his best when pressure is at its zenith: the drop goal against Wales a classic example.

Tomás O'Leary

Age: 25. Position: Scrumhalf. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st 5lb. Ireland caps: 7. Lions apps: 0

All-Ireland minor hurling medal winner with Cork, scrumhalf on the Ireland team that reached the 2004 Under-21 World Cup final. Managed to wrest both Munster and Ireland jerseys from Peter Stringer. Extremely quick, strong, excellent defender and has diligently worked on his passing. Could make the Lions Test team.

Jerry Flannery

Age: 30. Position: Hooker. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 16st. Ireland caps: 26. Lions apps: 0

Ireland debut as replacement against Romania in November 2005 but scored try on first start in 2006 Six Nations Championship against Italy. Integral part of Munster's Heineken Cup success and overcame injury, suspension and Rory Best to be Ireland's first choice hooker. Accurate lineout thrower, great work-rate round the pitch.

Paul O'Connell

Age: 29. Position: Secondrow. Height: 6ft 6in. Weight: 17st 7lb. Ireland caps: 57. Lions apps: 5

The Lion king. Scored try on Ireland debut against Wales at Lansdowne Road in 2002 and hasn't looked back since. Started all five games in the 2003 World Cup. Two Heineken Cup victories, three Triple Crowns, Grand Slam and started all three Tests for Lions in New Zealand (2005). Talismanic figure and one of world rugby's best players.

Donncha O'Callaghan

Age: 30. Position: Secondrow. Height: 6ft 6in. Weight: 17st 4lb. Ireland caps: 50. Lions apps: 7

Ireland debut in 2003, five years after winning Under-19 World Cup. Made first start for national side against Wales in February 2004 but had to be patient as Paul O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly were favoured secondrow pairing. Played every game in last two Six Nations, a reflection on often un-lauded qualities he brings to team.

Stephen Ferris

Age: 23. Position: Flanker. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 17st 2lb. Ireland caps: 8. Lions apps: 0

Made Ireland debut against Pacific Islands in last international at Lansdowne Road in 2006 and travelled to 2007 World Cup without seeing any game time. Came into his own this season in national team with series of brilliant performances.

Powerful, mobile and great hands.

Alan Quinlan

Age: 34. Position: Flanker. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 16st 7lb. Ireland caps: 27. Lions apps: 0

Made Ireland debut at 1999 World Cup but at same tournament four years later dislocated shoulder e scoring all-important try against Argentina that earned Ireland narrow win. Has modified game as he's got older although not facility to annoy living daylights out of opposition. Great footballing brain, excellent skill set and team-leader.

David Wallace

Age: 32. Position: Flanker. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 16st 2lb. Ireland caps: 50. Lions apps: 2

Third Wallace brother, behind Richard and Paul, capped for Ireland and Lions when replacement in 2001. On the back of Munster’s 2006 Heineken Cup triumph has kept firm grip on number seven jersey. Extremely quick, powerful ball-carrier and great defender and could play any one of three backrow positions in the Test series.

Jamie Heaslip

Age: 25. Position: No 8. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 17st 11lb. Ireland caps: 13. Lions apps: 0

Nominated for 2004 Under 21 World Player of the Year after brilliant performances for Ireland in underage World Cup. Leinster debut in 2005 and 1000th player capped by Ireland on debut against Pacific Islands in 2006. Brilliant individual try against France this season and another against Scots. Strong, athletic, quick, with great skill set.