Ireland 15 Rob Kearney Age: 28 Height: 1.85m (6'1") Weight: 95kg (15st) Caps: 61 Tries: 10 (1 conversion) After a few early errors, he was one of the players who tried to force things, as usual, from deep. But in doing that he was very effective and gets the team scrambling when he does.
14 Tommy Bowe Age: 31 Height: 1.91m (6'3") Weight: 96kg (15st 2lbs) Caps: 60 Tries: 28 There appeared to be a mix up for the Welsh try. At least Shane Horgan thought so. Bowe won't be happy with that or the number of times Welsh muscle stopped him.
13 Jared Payne Age: 29 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Weight: 94kg (14st 13lbs) Caps: 5 Tries: 0 Was unfairly vilified on television. He often beat the gain line against Wales with changes of angle and clever running and showed a little bit more guile than others did on the day.
12 Robbie Henshaw Age: 21 Height: 1.91m (6'3") Weight: 100kg (15st 10lbs) Caps: 9 Tries: 1 Still a work in process, it would be interesting to see Henshaw used as something other than a battering ram. But in that he was excellent given his opposite number was Jamie Roberts. 11 Luke Fitzgerald Age: 27 Height: 1.86 m (6 '1") Weight: 92 kg (14st 7 lb) Caps: 27 Tries: 2 A fan-pleasing decision by Joe Schmidt, even possibly in Munster. His quick feet and willingness to take on ball especially in tight channels makes him a stand out runner.
10 Jonathan Sexton Age: 29 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Weight: 92kg (14st 6lbs) Caps: 50 Points: 452 (8 tries) Cardiff showed a side rarely seen as he overcooked kicks and missed penalties. Sexton's strength is in his head and bet on it he will be good as new in Murrayfield.
9 Conor Murray Age: 25 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Weight: 94kg (14st 13lbs) Caps: 34 Tries: 3 When Reddan came on the tempo increased. He'll be aware of that although he was working with slow ruck ball. A little more zip required to add to his kicking and physicality.
1 Cian Healy Age: 27 Height: 1.85 m (6'1") Weight: 112 kg (17st 9 lb) Caps: 50 Tries: 3 A lot will be expected in his first start of the campaign. His knock-on last week was disappointing but it's the scrums and in broken play with ball in hand that he may make dents in Scotland.
2 Rory Best Age: 32 Height: 1.80m (5'11") Weight: 110kg (17st 4lbs) Caps: 82 Tries: 8 Always an epic grafter about the park but he'll take some flak for the lineout mess and a few overthrows. It's an area Ireland need to work on and a traditional strength.
3 Mike Ross Age: 35 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Weight: 127kg (19st 13lbs) Caps: 48 Tries: 0 Usually helps give Ireland a solid scrum base. But last week he was too quiet and didn't stick his head up. Fell off a couple of tackles too but crucial to the team performance.
4 Devin Toner Age: 28 Height: 2.08m (6'10") Weight: 124kg (19st 10lbs) Caps: 24 Tries: 0 Will have seen Iain Henderson come on and make an impact from the bench. He has improved greatly around the park but must show that and dominate the lineout today.
5 Paul O'Connell (capt) Age: 35 Height: 1.98m (6'6") Weight: 112kg (17st 8lbs) Caps: 100 Tries: 6 One of the players who performed last time out. Ever present at the breakdown, led the team from the front and carried the ball more than 20 times especially in the second half.
6 Peter O'Mahony Age: 25 Height: 1.91m (6'3") Weight: 107kg (16st 11lbs) Caps: 29 Tries: 1 Always aggressive despite a few handling errors and penalties against Wales. Can always be counted on to put in a massive shift and never wanting in commitment.
7 Seán O'Brien Age: 28 Height: 1.88m (6'2") Weight: 108kg (16st 13lbs) Caps: 33 Tries: 3 He is Ireland's ball carrying, gain line breaking, yard accumulating flanker. But everyone now knows that. Muscle isn't enough and more nuanced running may work better.
8 Jamie Heaslip Age: 31 Height: 1.93m (6'4") Weight: 110kg (17st 4lbs) Caps: 71 Tries: 9 He was heading towards 20 carries against Wales after return from injury. More of an athletic player than a bruiser and when he plays a leader's role for Ireland he's always good.
