Stringer - strong, with good pace.

Born: 13.12.77
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 11st
Position: Scrum-half
Club: Munster
Caps: 36
Points: 10

A promising youth player, Stringer made his Munster debut in 1999 and soon caught the eye of the national selectors.

Called into the Irish senior squad in February 2000, he sat on the replacements' bench for the game against England.

A fortnight later he won his first full cap against Scotland and has been almost an ever-present in the side since.

Strong, with good pace and a solid kicking game, Stringer has been one of the key reasons why Ireland have enjoyed a real renaissance.

Alongside Ronan O'Gara, he needs to provide the ammunition for one of the most exciting three-quarter lines in the competition.