England pen pics

A look at the England team to face Ireland

15 OLLY MORGAN

Gloucester

Age: 21 Height: 6ft 2in

Caps: 1 Weight: 14st 4lb

He can expect to receive his fair share of garryowens as an international novice. Strong and quick. England would prefer him to be going forward rather than defending furiously.

14 JOSH LEWSEY

London Wasps

Age: 30 Height: 5ft 11in

Caps: 45 Weight: 13st 8lb

Sharp going forward and aggressive in the tackle. Needs to get on the ball a little more and in a less orthodox way. Interesting to see if England operate an out-to-in defence for this game.

13 MIKE TINDALL

Gloucester

Age: 28 Height: 6ft 2in

Caps: 51 Weight: 15st 8lb

Strong and direct in possession, and a good defender, but Ireland will look to get players through the channel outside him. One of the undoubted team leaders.

12 ANDY FARRELL

Saracens

Age: 31 Height: 6ft 3in

Caps: 2 Weight: 16st 1lb

Former rugby league icon who, despite his limited experience of the union code, is a fine player. Might lack a little in the nuances of the inside-centre role. He'll spend time in the pivot position looking to distribute or take ball up.

11 DAVID STRETTLE

Harlequins

Age: 23 Height: 6ft

Caps: 0 Weight: 12st 4lb

Came through the England Sevens system and transferred his prolific try ratio to the Premiership. Wreaked havoc when afforded space against Ireland A in Ravenhill a fortnight back but it's in defence that Shane Horgan will test his international credentials.

10 JONNY WILKINSON

Newcastle Falcons

Age: 27 Height: 5ft 10in

Caps: 54 Weight: 13st 3lb

Place-kicker par excellence, superb tackler and a brilliant temperament. Brian Ashton has encouraged him to use his play-making skills at times at outside centre.

Ireland must not give away penalties.

9 HARRY ELLIS

Leicester Tigers

Age: 24 Height: 5ft 10in

Caps: 15 Weight: 13st 13lb

Appears to have matured into a quality scrumhalf. A real livewire who'll exploit gaps around the fringes with pace and strength. The Irish backrow will look to force him on to the back foot.

1 PERRY FRESHWATER

Perpignan

Age: 33 Height: 6ft

Caps: 6 Weight: 17st 4lb

Brought into the team for his ability at scrum time. Solid in the tight and comfortable on the ball thanks to his time playing in France. Will try to bully John Hayes.

2 GEORGE CHUTER

Leicester Tigers

Age: 30 Height: 5ft 10in

Caps: 8 Weight: 15st 12lb

At last England have found a hooker who not only relishes the nitty-gritty but is generally unflustered by his lineout responsibilities.

A niggling, vocal presence but one who will come under plenty of pressure.

3 PHIL VICKERY (capt)

London Wasps

Age: 30 Height: 6ft 3in

Caps: 51 Weight: 18st 4lb

England's captain is very much a leader by example. Not as dominant at scrum time as he once was, but likes to get hands on the ball and is comfortable with it.

4 LOUIS DEACON

Leicester Tigers

Age: 26 Height: 6ft 6in

Caps: 5 Weight: 18st 1lb

Look no further than Leicester's victory over Munster at Thomond Park. Great work ethic among the many the qualities he brings to the team.

5 DANNY GREWCOCK

Bath

Age: 29 Height: 6ft 6in

Caps: 68 Weight: 18st 6lb

A hard, abrasive presence who seems to have curbed a tendency to concede penalties and collect yellow cards. Good option in the lineout, industrious and a pack leader.

6 JOE WORSLEY

London Wasps

Age: 29 Height: 6ft 5in

Caps: 54 Weight: 17st 7lb

Tough, marauding flanker who is a focal point in terms of carrying ball. Athletic and mobile, he offers a presence whether in attack or defence.

7 MAGNUS LUND

Sale Sharks

Age: 23 Height: 6ft 3in

Caps: 6 Weight: 16st 7lb

Might have been considered

slightly fortunate that the England team was selected ahead of last Saturday's English Premiership

match in which he came off second best to Tom Rees, who starts on the bench.

A lineout option and a very good athlete.

8 MARTIN CORRY

Leicester Tigers

Age: 33 Height: 6ft 5in

Caps: 51 Weight: 18st

Carried the can unfairly when things were going wrong for England. An honest player who will expend every last ounce of energy.

Sometimes seeks contact when perhaps there are better options outside.