Player-by-player guide

Leinster

15 Girvan Dempsey - In excellent form for both club and province this season. Reads the game extremely well, rock solid under the high ball, a fine counter attacker and strong runner. Seven tries.

14 Denis Hickie - The outstanding wing in the country. Joint top try scorer for Leinster along with Dempsey on seven. Can burn with pace or quick feet and a more aggressive defender. Premium international class.

13 Brian O'Driscoll - Took a little time to overcome the rigours of the Lions in Australia, but in Leinster's last game he looked to have rediscovered that sharpness in possession. On his day the best around, anywhere.

12 Shane Horgan - Very much in the running for Leinster's player of the year this season. Strong in possession, good defender and a selfless worker for the team.

11 Gordon D'Arcy - One of the best broken-field runners in the country. Has adapted to the wing role with great maturity and understanding this season. Very good finisher who knows way to try line.

10 Nathan Spooner - Quality playmaker in the pivotal position on the team. Can kick goals and direct the game, giving his team a new dimension this season. No coincidence that backline is rampant.

9 Brian O'Meara - Another who has matured with the expectations. Needs to be a little more aggressive at rucks in clearing the ball away. Good reader of the game who links well and tests the tackle.

1 Reggie Corrigan (capt) - Has been handed a new lease of life with the responsibility of captaincy. Fitter, stronger and an excellent defender, he is in the form of his life. Provides the leadership too.

2 Shane Byrne - Now that he has finally won that elusive Ireland cap, he is producing the quality performances of his formative years. He is enjoying his rugby and it is apparent on the paddock.

3 Paul Wallace - Has made a remarkable recovery from injury and is now displaying glimpses of the form that made him a Lion in 1997. Strong in the scrum, he is able to contribute with his mobility in the loose.

4 Leo Cullen - One of the unsung heroes in the team but not undervalued by his team-mates and the management. Excellent out of touch he has a voracious work ethic. Mobile, athletic and a good tackler.

5 Malcolm O'Kelly - May have started the season quietly but in recent matches is producing high quality performances consistently. Excels in all facets of the game and is the primary source of possession in the lineout.

6 Eric Miller - Another player who has been in outstanding form this season and finally seems comfortable with the expectations of his talent. No longer trying to do everything, he is a wonderful ball player.

7 Keith Gleeson - Leinster's Australian turnover king. He has been a revelation since his arrival in Ireland, allowing his side to play the wide game they crave. Utterly fearless at the breakdown and a great support player.

8 Victor Costello - Sustained excellence throughout the season probably more so than at any time in his career. His team's game-breaker and chief hard yards earner. Explosive power makes the holes for others.

Munster (probable)

15 Dominic Crotty - Has regained his place having recovered from a hand injury. Solid defender, especially under high ball. Likes to chip and chase on counter attack. Not given to rash decisions.

14 John Kelly - Has been one of Munster's outstanding players this season. Brings great intelligence and reading of the game. Good tackler who is generally a handful for any marker.

13 Mike Mullins - Strong-running and direct he is perhaps his team's most potent attacker. Question marks were once raised about his defence but has addressed that defect to great effect.

12 Jason Holland - Under-rated outside of Munster, the New Zealander brings a quiet efficiency to the role. Noted for his ability to intercept passes at crucial times. Good defender and a real team player.

11 Anthony Horgan - Slow start to the season masked his obvious quality. Doesn't give much away against any wing no matter what reputation they bring. Excellent finisher whose first inclination is to run.

10 Ronan O'Gara - The team's point-scoring machine and attacking fulcrum. Likes to sit in the pocket and can drive opponents to distraction with his tactical kicking. Can mix up the game when required.

9 Mike Prendergast - Took his try with some aplomb in the quarter-final victory over Llanelli. Quick with a good break, he occasionally tends to kick a little too often. Will need to be monitored carefully by the Leinster backrow.

1 Marcus Horan - Definitely the best footballing prop in the country. Has the hands and kicking skills that would put backs to shame. Competent scrummager. He really thrives in the loose.

2 Frankie Sheahan - Works very hard in the tight exchanges and because of that can be less conspicuous but more effective than some of his team-mates up front. Hits his man in the lineout when it matters.

3 Peter Clohessy - The Peter Pan of Irish props who like a fine wine shows no signs of deteriorating with age. His knowledge of the game allows him to render the pitch smaller. Leader by deed.

4 Mick Galwey (capt) - The spirtual leader of the team. Unflappable under the severest pressure, he is able to come up with the right answer to whatever question the opposition poses.

5 Paul O'Connell - One of the rising stars in Irish rugby, he has all the attributes required of the modern second row. Strong, athletic, aggressive and with a good attitude and work-rate. Future international.

6 Jim Williams - The Australian has made a big impact since his arrival at the start of the season. Strong, mobile and with the innate good habits that above-average players possess. Hard worker.

7 Alan Quinlan - When he is good there are few better around. Has switched to the openside without undue problems in the absence of David Wallace. Can sometimes be sidetracked from the rugby issue.

8 Anthony Foley - Great footballing brain, excellent reader of the game with the aptitude for the big games. Works incredibly hard in the nitty-gritty trench warfare of the forward exchanges.