6 Nations Squad Profiles: Backs

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL (BLACKROCK COLLEGE/LEINSTER) (CAPTAIN)

Date of Birth: 21 January 1979

Height: 180cm (5ft 11ins)

Weight: 90kg (14st 3lbs)

Position: Centre

Debut: v Australia, June 1999

Caps: 59

Lions Test Caps: 4

Points: 147

Tries: 27 (Ireland Record)

Drop Goals: 4

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Leinster: Games Played: 5; Points: 15; Tries: 3

…Ireland v Italy is his 23rd Test as team captainO’Driscoll has led Ireland to 17 wins in 22 outings as skipper – now 3rd in the list of Irish captaincies – Tom Kiernan is 2nd (23) and Keith Wood 1st (24)This is his first cap since the 32-20 defeat by Wales at the Millennium Stadium last MarchDislocated his right shoulder in the first Lions Test v New Zealand in JuneO’Driscoll has scored 16 tries in previous 6 Nations tournaments – he beat the record of George Stephenson (14) with a try against England last seasonHe famously scored Test hat-tricks against France (2000) and Scotland (2002)Played in all three Lions Tests in Australia in 2001 – captain of 2005 LionsVoted Irish Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002…

GEORDAN MURPHY (LEICESTER TIGERS)

Date of Birth: 19 April 1978

Height: 183cm (6ft)

Weight: 84kg (13st 3lbs)

Position: Full-Back/Wing

Debut: v USA, June 2000

Caps: 34

Lions Test Caps: 1

Points: 85

Tries: 16

Conversions: 1

Drop Goals: 1

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand, Australia, Romania); Points: 5; Tries: 1 (v Romania)

Leicester: Games Played: 14; Points: 10; Tries: 2

Ireland v Italy is Murphy’s 5th Test against the Azzurri – he has scored two tries in previous clashesHe started all of Ireland’s Test matches in 2005, bar those on the tour to Japan, due to his involvement with the Lions – Murphy played in the third and final Lions Test in New ZealandNow fourth on the all-time Irish try scoring listHas scored 11 tries and 1 drop goal whilst playing at full-back for Ireland, and 5 tries as a winger. He kicked one conversion as substitute for David Humphreys against Wales in 2003Recovered from a broken leg he suffered against Scotland in the final warm-up game for the 2003 World Cup, missed that tournament and returned v Italy in the 2004 6 NationsHas been in England with Leicester Tigers since moving from Naas RFC in 1997Won Heineken Cup winners medals in 2001 and 2002Has played at full-back, centre and on the wing for his country

GIRVAN DEMPSEY (TERENURE COLLEGE/LEINSTER)

Date of Birth: 2 October 1975

Height: 188cm (6ft 2ins)

Weight: 89kg (14st)

Position: Full-Back/Wing

Debut: v Georgia, November 1998

Caps: 62

Points: 70

Tries: 14

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 2 (v New Zealand, Romania (sub)); Points: 5; Tries: 1 (v Romania)

Leinster: Games Played: 16; Points: 20; Tries: 4

…Dempsey started all of Ireland’s 6 Nations games last season, bar the opener against Italy in Rome…Has scored 2 tries in his last three outings in green…Scored 3 tries against Italy in 7 Tests…Played in all 15 of Ireland’s Tests during 2003, including 13 as a starter…He famously scored Ireland’s try in their 19-13 defeat of England at Twickenham in March 2004…Won his 50th cap on tour to South Africa that June – his 60th followed against Japan last summer…Suffered a calf injury in Leinster’s final Heineken Cup pool game against Bath last month – unlucky not to make the 22 for the Italian game…

SHANE HORGAN (LANSDOWNE/LEINSTER)

Date of Birth: 18 July 1978

Height: 193cm (6ft 4ins)

Weight: 97kg (16st 1lb)

Position: Wing/Centre

Debut: v Scotland, February 2000

Caps: 40

Lions Test Caps: 3

Points: 65

Tries: 13

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand, Australia, Romania); Points: 5; Tries: 1 (v Australia)

Leinster: Games Played: 13; Points: 25; Tries: 5

Ireland v Italy is Horgan’s 6th Test against the Azzurri – he has scored 4 tries in previous clashesHe was a replacement for the Lions against Argentina last May and in all 3 Tests against New Zealand last summerOne of five players in the current Irish squad to make their debuts against Scotland in 2000Horgan scored on his debut, adding a further 4 tries in 2000 but has gone through a dry patch recently, scoring only three tries in his last 19 Tests for IrelandRekindled his form in Leinster’s recent run to the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, scoring 3 tries in 6 pool games

ANDREW TRIMBLE (BALLYMENA/ULSTER)

Date of Birth: 20 October 1984

Height: 188cm (6ft 2ins)

Weight: 91kg (14st 3lbs)

Position: Centre/Wing

Debut: v Australia, November 2005

Caps: 2

Points: 10

Tries: 2

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 2 (v Australia, Romania); Points: 10; Tries: 2 (v Romania)

Ulster: Games Played: 16; Points: 30; Tries: 6

Will hope for his 3rd cap – first as a replacement – against ItalyThis is Trimble’s first 6 Nations ChampionshipHe earned his first call-up to the Irish squad last November – started the Tests against Australia and Romania, scoring 2 tries against the eastern EuropeansHas shot to prominence in only his second season with Ulster, forming a strong midfield partnership with Ireland veteran Kevin MaggsAlways highly regarded, having impressed as an Ireland Schools and Under-21 internationalis currently studying part-time for a Theology degree….

BARRY MURPHY (UL BOHEMIANS/MUNSTER)

Date of Birth: 28 November 1982

Height: 183cm (6ft)

Weight: 86kg (13st 8lbs)

Position: Centre/Wing

Debut: –

Caps: –

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Munster: Games Played: 14; Points: 5; Tries: 1

Hoping his recent form for Munster can help him get capped during the 2006 6 NationsMurphy’s emergence as a classy outside centre was crowned when he meandered through for a brilliant individual try in Munster’s Heineken Cup pool defeat of Sale last monthWas then called into the Irish squad as back-up for calf injury victim Girvan DempseyA product of the UL Bohs Academy, Murphy made his Munster debut against the Dragons in the Celtic League in 2003, but has come to the fore in a midfield tandem with Trevor Halstead this seasonCapped previously for the Ireland Under-21 team

GORDON D’ARCY (LANSDOWNE/LEINSTER)

Date of Birth: 10 February 1980

Height: 178cm (5ft 10ins)

Weight: 94kg (14st 3lbs)

Position: Centre/Full-Back

Debut: v Romania, October 1999

Caps: 15

Points: 10

Tries: 2

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand, Australia, Romania)

Leinster: Games Played: 6; Points: 15; Tries: 3

Saturday’s Ireland v Italy clash will be D’Arcy’s 3rd Test against the Italians – his last 6 Nations game was cut short against Italy last February due to a hamstring injuryReturned to go on Lions tour, and start all three of Ireland’s autumn internationalsVoted 2004 6 Nations Player of the tournament by the BBCD’Arcy’s first 2 Ireland tries came in the 2004 Triple Crown win against ScotlandWon his first cap at full-back, as a replacement for Conor O’Shea, against Romania at the 1999 World Cup – his second followed some three years later against FijiAlso made his Leinster debut (1998) and Ireland ‘A’ debut (1999) as a teenagerShow flashes of his brilliance in helping Leinster through to the 2005/06 Heineken Cup quarter-finals, scoring 3 tries in 6 pool games

DENIS HICKIE (ST. MARY’S COLLEGE/LEINSTER)

Date of Birth: 13 February 1976

Height: 188cm (6ft 2ins)

Weight: 94kg (14st 3lbs)

Position: Wing

Debut: v Wales, February 1997

Caps: 51

Points: 125

Tries: 25

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Leinster: Games Played: 9; Points: 20; Tries: 4

Two tries short of Brian O’Driscoll’s try record, Hickie returned for Leinster last month after a spell out with a dislocated right fibula (October)Failed to make the squad for the Italian game with Ulster duo Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble holding down their placesPart of Triple Crown-winning Ireland sides at Schools (1993), Under-21 (1996) and Senior (2004) levelsHickie scored a try on his debut against Wales in 1997Achilles injury saw his 2003 World Cup cut short in Australia – he returned for November 2004 win against South AfricaScored twice against Italy and Scotland in last year’s 6 NationsFamously scored four times against the Italians in a Thomond Park friendly in August 2003toured New Zealand last summer with the Lions

TOMMY BOWE (BELFAST HARLEQUINS/ULSTER)

Date of Birth: 22 February 1984

Height: 191cm (6ft 3ins)

Weight: 89kg (14st)

Position: Wing

Debut: v USA, November 2004

Caps: 6

Points: 10

Tries: 2

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand, Australia, Romania)

Ulster: Games Played: 16; Points: 30; Tries: 6

Bowe scored a try on his debut against the USA in November 2004Saturday will be his first 6 Nations game and first encounter with the ItaliansIt is also the Monaghan man’s sixth consecutive capHis appearance against the US saw him become the first Monaghan native to play for Ireland in more than 80 yearsImpressed for the Ireland Under-21 side on route to the 2004 U-21 World Cup final in Scotland, but was injured for the decider against New ZealandHas operated on the wing and at full-back for Ulster this season

ROBERT KEARNEY (UCD/LEINSTER)

Date of Birth: 26 March 1986

Height: 183cm (6ft 1in)

Weight: 90kg (14st 1lb)

Position: Wing/Full-Back

Debut: –

Caps: –

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Leinster: Games Played: 16; Points: 37; Tries: 7; Conversions: 1

Kearney has broken into the extended Ireland squad in only his first season with Leinster Is a former Louth minor Gaelic footballer and was the standout player for Clongowes Wood College during the 2004 Leinster Senior Schools CupWas Irish captain at last summer’s Under-19 World Cup in South AfricaAlso captained the Ireland Schools side on tour to Australia in 2004Has benefited greatly under the wing of Leinster coaching duo Michael Cheika and David Knox this seasonis in the second year of an Arts degree at UCD

JOHN KELLY (CORK CONSTITUTION/MUNSTER)

Date of Birth: 18 April 1974

Height: 178cm (5ft 10ins)

Weight: 87kg (13st 10lbs)

Position: Wing/Centre

Debut: v Italy, March 2002

Caps: 17

Points: 40

Tries: 8

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Munster: Games Played: 15; Points: 25; Tries: 5

Kelly earned a call back into the extended Ireland squad for the autumn internationals, but failed to gain a capHis last cap came in the quarter-final defeat by France at the World Cup in November 2003Steady form for Munster this season with 5 tries in 15 gamesCan play on the wing or at centreMade his Ireland debut against Italy in 2002, scoring 2 triesalso scored against the Italians in February 2003 (1) and August 2003 (1)

RONAN O’GARA (CORK CONSTITUTION/MUNSTER)

Date of Birth: 7 March 1977

Height: 180cm (5ft 10ins)

Weight: 83kg (13st)

Position: Fly Half

Debut: v Scotland, February 2000

Caps: 55

Points: 531

Tries: 7

Conversions: 86

Penalties: 99

Drop Goals: 9

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand, Australia, Romania (sub)); Points: 6; Penalties: 2

Munster: Games Played: 14; Points: 139; Tries: 1; Conversions: 31; Penalties: 22; Drop Goals: 2

Saturday’s clash with Italy will be O’Gara’s 6th Test against the Azzurri – he has scored 73 points (1 try, 13 conversions and 14 penalties) against them in five gamesWas the 2005 6 Nations top scorer with 60 pointsHe scored a then championship record 30 points (6 conversions and 6 penalties) against Italy in 2000One of five players to make their Irish debuts against Scotland in 2000His two drop goals against England last year took him past David Humphreys as Ireland’s record drop goal scorerWas previously Ireland’s record points scorer, but Humphreys regained that title on tour to Japan last summer – O’Gara is now 29 points behind the UlstermanPlayed in two Heineken Cup finals for Munster in 2000 and 2002toured Australia with the Lions in 2001, and earned his first Test cap as a Lion as a replacement in the third Test against New Zealand last July

DAVID HUMPHREYS (BALLYMENA/ULSTER)

Date of Birth: 10 September 1971

Height: 178cm (5ft 10ins)

Weight: 83kg (13st)

Position: Fly Half

Debut: v France, February 1996

Caps: 72

Points: 560 (Ireland Record)

Tries: 6

Conversions: 88

Penalties: 110

Drop Goals: 8

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand (sub), Australia (sub), Romania (captain)); Points: 18; Conversions: 6; Penalties: 2

Ulster: Games Played: 14; Points: 168; Tries: 1; Conversions: 17; Penalties: 42; Drop Goals: 1

Has scored 67 points in 6 previous Tests against ItalyHumphreys is Ireland’s all-time record points scorer with 560 pointsHe is the second most capped Ireland player of all-time behind Malcolm O’Kelly (75) – it will be the Ulster fly half’s 73rd cap if he plays on SaturdayHumphreys, in his number 10 duel with Ronan O’Gara, has had three spells as first choice fly half, in 1999, 2002 and 2003Since the end of the 2003 World Cup, 8 of Humphreys’ 12 Irish caps have come as a replacementCaptained Ireland v Italy in 2002 and for the fifth time in last November’s win against RomaniaWas captain of Ulster for their Heineken Cup win in 1999 – scored a Cup record 37 points against Wasps in October 2001

JEREMY STAUNTON (LONDON WASPS)

Date of Birth: 7 May 1980

Height: 183cm (6ft)

Weight: 96kg (15st 1lb)

Position: Fly Half/Full-Back

Debut: v Samoa, November 2001

Caps: 3

Points: 21

Tries: 1

Conversions: 2

Penalties: 4

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Wasps: Games Played: 7; Points: 19; Tries: 1; Conversions: 1; Penalties: 4

Joined London Wasps from NEC Harlequins last summer, making seven appearances to date for the English champions at fly halfFormerly of Garryowen and Munster, Staunton can play at full-back or fly halfCapped at Schools, Under-18, Youth, Under-19 and Under-21 levels before making his debut for Ireland ‘A’ against Italy ‘A’ in 1999Scored 30 points (2 tries and 10 conversions) against Italy ‘A’ the following seasonWon his first Senior cap against Samoa in November 2001, marking it with a tryCalled up for duty on last summer’s tour to Japan, and scored 16 points as a replacement for David Humphreys in the first Test

PETER STRINGER (SHANNON/MUNSTER)

Date of Birth: 13 December 1977

Height: 170cm (5ft 7ins)

Weight: 70kg (11st)

Position: Scrum Half

Debut: v Scotland, February 2000

Caps: 61

Points: 25

Tries: 5

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: 3 (v New Zealand, Australia, Romania (sub))

Munster: Games Played: 13

Is set for his 7th Test against Italy – scored tries against the Azzurri in February 2003 (1) and February 2005 (1)Saturday will be his 37th Test starting with school mate Ronan O’Gara as Ireland’s halfback pairingStringer is Ireland’s most-capped scrum half – incredibly, he has started 61 of Ireland’s last 66 Tests (he was rested for the games against USA (2000), Fiji (2002) and Tonga, Samoa and Italy (2003))One of five players in the current squad to make their debuts against Scotland in 2000Played in two Heineken Cup finals for Munster in 2000 and 2002

EOIN REDDAN (LONDON WASPS)

Date of Birth: 20 November 1980

Height: 170cm (5ft 7in)

Weight: 80kg (12st 9lbs)

Position: Scrum Half

Debut: –

Caps: –

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Wasps: Games Played: 15; Points: 15; Tries: 3

Reddan is the only uncapped player in the Ireland 22 for Saturday’s clash with ItalyCalled up to the Senior squad as a result of his good form for London Wasps, the club he signed for last summer from MunsterAlso had a spell with Connacht before returning to Munster in 2003Capped previously at Under-21 level for IrelandStarted playing rugby as a 13-year-old for local Limerick club Old Crescent

GUY EASTERBY (BLACKROCK COLLEGE/LEINSTER)

Date of Birth: 21 March 1971

Height: 183cm (6ft)

Weight: 94kg (14st 8lbs)

Position: Scrum Half

Debut: v USA, June 2000

Caps: 28

Points: 30

Tries: 6

2005/06 Form: Ireland: Games Played: –

Leinster: Games Played: 14

Born in Harrogate in EnglandCapped for the North of England Under-21s before playing for the Irish Exiles in 1997, the Ireland ‘A’ team in 1999 and the Senior side in 2000Sat on the replacements bench for the 2000 6 Nations before making his debut against the USA in the summer tourScored 2 tries against the Americans, but has been second choice scrum half to Peter Stringer ever sinceOnly 7 of Easterby’s 28 caps have come as a starterLast start was against the USA in November 2004Came off the bench in the 6 Nations win against Scotland, twelve months ago – an unused replacement for the other 6 Nations gamesBack playing after suffering a jaw injury in the autumn

Join the Irish Rugby Supporters Club, in association with Canterbury of New Zealand – meet the players, exclusive access, competitions, tickets and much more. To join click here.

**All photos by Lorraine O’Sullivan of Inpho Photography**