Rob Henderson

Position: centre. Age: 28. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 16st 4lb. Club: Wasps. Caps: 21. Test debut: 1996. Points: 25 (5 tries).

Profile: A change of attitude towards training and a new fitness regime has allowed him to deliver on his ability. Since starting against France in Ireland's famous victory at Stade de France last year, has been Brian O'Driscoll's favoured partner in the centre. Good performance against South Africa last autumn was followed up by his three-try salvo against Italy and a brilliant display against the French in Lansdowne Road.

Seen to be competing against Scott Gibbs for the inside centre berth, he eclipsed the Welshman, the Lions player of the series in 1997, in performance levels. Pigeon-holed as a "bosh merchant' he has shown there is more to his game. Will start the tour as an underdog for a test spot but expect him to come through strongly, particularly if the Lions management opt for physique and also because of his understanding with O'Driscoll.

Brian O'Driscoll

Position: centre. Age: 22. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 14st 3lb. Club: Blackrock College. Caps: 15. Test debut: 1999. Points: 48 (nine tries, 1 drop goal).

Profile: Has admirably managed the pressure of a sensational Six Nations last season and the expectation levels that ensued. He was undoubtedly helped at international level by the excellence of his partner Rob Henderson, who deflected some of the attention.

Even still, O'Driscoll has coped with being a marked man, providing many strong performances for both Leinster and Ireland. Scored the all-important "try" against France at Lansdowne Road this season and demonstrated wonderful hands against South Africa for the Tyrone Howe try. Earned rave reviews for his display for the Barbarians against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium - he scored a try to boot - after which he was elevated to a racing certainty to make not only the Lions squad but the test team.

Great feet, great hands, good defence and with his pace restored, capable of taking it home from 40 metres: he pretty much offers the complete package. A marked man but he has the ability to deal with that.

Ronan O'Gara

Position: fly-half. Age: 24. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st. Club: Cork Constitution. Caps: 11. Test debut: 2000. Points: 152 (1 try, 27 pens, 33 cons).

Profile: Won't have slept a wink the night before yesterday's announcement. But this season has seen his game mature both at provincial and test level. Coped well with the disappointment of last season's European Cup final defeat to produce several excellent displays en route to this season's semi-final.

It is his place-kicking ability that helped him to nudge aside Scotland's Gregor Townsend for the third outhalf position. Ostensibly, Johnny Wilkinson's place on the test side is a fait accompli, barring injury, but O'Gara could push strongly.

Can control a game, make breaks and kick goals and will know that to edge closer to that test spot will need to be defensively resilient.

Jeremy Davidson

Position: lock. Age: 26. Height: 6ft 6in. Weight: 18st. Club: Castres. Caps: 31. Test debut: 1995. Points: 0.

Profile: Will have been viewed as a surprise inclusion by many despite the fact he starred in the 1997 Lions 21 series victory over South Africa. Suffered a slump in form and lost his Ireland place and since then has battled a succession of injuries that have disrupted his attempts to win back his international place.

Headed for French side Castres a couple of seasons ago and an example of the esteem in which he is held by the club can be garnered from the fact they made him captain this season. Was watched by the Lions management when Castres beat Stade Francais recently and his display earned him a place among the five second rows.

Those who view him as the outsider in the race to partner tour captain Martin Johnson will underestimate his ferocious commitment and desire. A fine athlete, excellent lineout jumper and an aggressive and hard-hitting tackler he will relish the competition.

Malcolm O'Kelly

Position: lock. Age: 26. Height: 6ft 7in. Weight: 16st 9lb. Club: St Mary's College. Caps: 30. Test debut: 1997. Points: 15 (3 tries).

Profile: From the earliest discussions on potential Irish tourists with the Lions, the former Templeogue College schoolboy has been regarded as a cast-iron certainty. Laid back to the point of being horizontal , it was hardly surprising his phone was diverted when Donal Lenihan tried to ring him yesterday morning with the good news.

However, his easy-going nature belies a fierce determination and a footballing intelligence and consistency that mark him as one of the outstanding locks in world rugby.

Finds himself in one of the most competitive sectors of the squad with any one of the four locks capable of partnering Martin Johnson.

Keith Wood

Position: hooker. Age: 29. Height: 6ft. Weight: 16st 10lb. Club: Harlequins. Caps: 43. Test debut: 1994. Points: 55 (11 tries).

Profile: Spiritual leader four years ago and likely to fulfil that role again this time. Despite the talk, it was always going to be Martin Johnson's captaincy once again. Wood will not be too disappointed, content that his role and input along with the captain and Lawrence Dallaglio will be significant. His experience from '97 will be crucial from dealing with the threat of his "understudies" Phil Greening and Robin McBryde to helping fellow players deal with the demands of being a Lion. Discerning the best role to maximise the Clare man's impact has been a challenge for every team upon which he has played. The Aussies will have identified him as a galvanising influence: rest assured they will be itching for an opportunity to hit him hard. The lineout will be a key battle and therefore the throwing and lifting will have to be spot on against the competitive Australian jumpers. Wood has the aptitude, the ability and the self-belief to thrive; all he needs is a little space.