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They’ve had and still have players that would turn the rugby world green with envy.

Names like O’Driscoll, Gibson, O’Connell, McBride and Millar not only command respect on the European scene but on a global stage with their exploits for Ireland and the Lions the stuff of legend.

With the Grand Slam-chasing Irish heading to the Millennium Stadium next week bidding to complete part four of a Six Nations Championship clean sweep, Warren Gatland’s Wales know exactly what lies in store in Cardiff... a pin-point kicking game, a desire to win the aerial fight, a fierce breakdown battle and that now trademark driving lineout.

It’s traits that have been ingrained into the Irish game and given a recent polish up by visionary coach Joe Schmidt.

But how does this current crop compare to the best of the best? We’ve set about the head-scratching burning the midnight oil task of picking the greatest Irish XV of all time in order to find out

Here, in the pictures below, are the faces of the greatest Irish XV of all time.

More: 34 emotional pictures from the day Wales beat Ireland to win the 2005 Grand Slam

Pictures: The greatest Ireland XV in history

15. Tom Kiernan (1960-73)

At the time of his retirement was Ireland’s most capped player with 54 appearances, their most experienced captain skippering his country 24 times and his 158 points was at that time also a record. Skippered the 1968 Lions in South Africa scoring most points on tour with 35. Wins the nod over Irish incumbent Rob Kearney to fill the No.15 shirt.

14. Tommy Bowe (2004-present)

Recently missed out to skipper Paul O’Connell in being voted the sexiest Irish rugby player of 2015, but gets the vote for the No.14 jersey. The former Ospreys flier has bagged 28 tries in 59 appearances and is no stranger to playing a Grand Slam role against Wales in Cardiff crossing for a crucial try in their 2009 clean sweep.

13. Brian O’Driscoll (1999-2014)

Could justifiably fill the No.13 jersey in the greatest World XV of all time and a true legend of the game. Played 141 Tests (133 for Ireland and eight for the Lions) scoring 46 tries. The eighth highest try-scorer in international rugby history, the 2005 Lions skipper, was as much a central figure in Ireland’s defensive effort throwing himself into the fray without due care and attention as he was providing a rapier like thrust going forward.

12. Mike Gibson (1964-79)

Where Gibson trod, O’Driscoll followed. Won his 69th and final cap beating Australia in the second Test in Sydney in 1979 at the ripe age of 36. With 12 appearances for the Lions, Gibson held a then record 81 caps on his retirement and a real jack of all trades and grand master of all he surveyed. Played for Ireland in four different positions netting 112 points through nine tries, 16 penalties, seven conversions and six drop-goals.

11. Tony O’Reilly (1955-70)

On and off the rugby pitch twice Lions tourist O’Reilly found everything he touched turned to gold. Must have found a field of four-leaf clovers in his early days as O’Reilly enjoyed an international career spanning 15 years and 23 days - a record he shared with Gibson - before embarking on a business career with the Independent News and Media Group and well as being CEO and chairman of HJ Heinz Company.

10. Jack Kyle (1946-58)

Lauded as the greatest fly-half the game has ever seen, Kyle passed away aged 88 last November. He won 46 caps between 1947 and 1958, plus six for the Lions. In 2002 the Irish Rugby Football Union voted him the greatest-ever Irish rugby player, ahead of Mike Gibson, Willie John McBride and Brian O’Driscoll. Kyle masterminded Ireland’s golden period of rugby, when they won their first-ever Grand Slam, in 1948, followed by the Triple Crown in 1949 and the Home Nations championship in 1951.

9. Roger Young (1965-71)

A tough as teak Ulsterman, who served Ireland and the Lions with some distinction. Capped 26-times for the Emerald Isle the Queen’s University No.9 earned his stripes for the Lions touring Australia and New Zealand in 1966 before heading off to South Africa two years later. Operated behind a Lions pack who were often given a torrid time, Young rightly earns his place among the Irish greats.

1. Ray McLoughlin (1962-75)

Hailed by former Wales flanker John Taylor as ‘one of the best technicians the game has ever known’, 40-times capped McLoughlin was a thinking man’s prop. Was at a peak of his powers on the 1971 Lions tour of New Zealand before injury struck ahead of the Test series. Widely credited with making a vital coaching contribution to the forwards on that triumphant visit.

2. Keith Wood (1994-2003)

Nicknamed the ‘Raging Potato’ or ‘Uncle Fester’ 58-times capped Wood helped revolutionise the hooker’s berth for his all-action style and ability to be in the right place at the right time to give Ireland a cutting edge in attack. Scored 15 tries and enjoyed a dynamic 1997 tour of South Africa with the Lions. Excelled again in Australia four years later.

3. Syd Millar (1958-70)

Totally immersed in rugby from making the first of his 37 international appearances in 1958 to carving his name in Lions folklore from first coaching the iconic ‘74 trip to South Africa and managing the 1980 tour party. The Ballymena man also went on three tours as a player as well as becoming chairman of the IRU in 1995 and from 2003-07 was chairman of the IRB.

4. Willie John McBride (1962-75)

His playing record stands with any of the greats of the game. Almost 20 years of service with Ulster, 63 caps for Ireland and five tours with the Lions. The series wins in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974 have gone down in sporting folklore; not only for the manner of those wins but for the style of play of the tourists. McBride was pack leader in ‘71 before leading the ‘74 trip. Played more matches (67) than any Lions forward and more Tests (17) than any Lion in history.

5. Paul O’Connell (2002-present)

Poised to win his 100th Irish cap against Wales at the Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday, the Munster man has been a totem for the Emerald Isle through times of feast and famine. A prolific pilferer of opposition ball at the lineout, O’Connell never shirks his ball-carrying duties and is a rock in the well-marshalled Irish defence. An inspired captain of his country, O’Connell earned the ultimate accolade of leading the 2009 Lions in South Africa.

6. John O’Driscoll (1978-86)

Alongside Fergus Slattery and Willie Duggan, he formed the most effective back-row unit in the history of Irish rugby.

During his 26-cap international career he helped steer Ireland to a first Triple Crown success since 1949 when playing a central role in the so called ‘Dads Army’ pack of ‘82. In addition, he toured South Africa (1980) and New Zealand (1983) with the British and Irish Lions, playing in six of the eight Tests on those tours. Never frightened to put his body on the line and could be suicidally brave – or mad – on occasions.

7. Fergus Slattery (1970-84)

The great Gareth Edwards provided an apt description of the Irish and Lions legend. “He was a ‘put another battery in type of player - non stop’,” said Edwards. In fact sprint tests on that tour showed him to trail only JJ Williams in flat speed. Fantastic all-action openside who impressed as a youngster in ‘71 and took the world – or the Springboks – by storm three years later. Played 61 times for Ireland including 17 as skipper.

8. Willie Duggan (1975-84)

Hard as nails performer whose on-field exploits rank up there with his penchant for late nights. On one occasion was smoking a cigarette as he ran onto the field to play against France, passing the cigarette to referee Allan Hosie. He was once told by a coach that if he gave up the smokes he would be faster around the pitch. Typical of Willie’s wit he replied “but then I would spend most of the match offside”. Earned 41 caps and went on the ‘77 Lions tour to New Zealand.