EURO 2016 TEAM PREVIEW: GROUP E - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Tip: Early exit

Cult hero: James McClean is the type of player who could pick a fight in an empty room. That is the sort of player every team needs, though, especially against higher-profile sides who think you’re a soft touch. He might not start, but his firebrand demeanour and pace down the flank could be crucial.

Star player: Republic fans are pinning their hopes on Shane Long continuing his excellent finish to the Premier League season for Southampton when they open up their campaign against Sweden. He is not the tallest, yet his aerial prowess up front is something to behold while his tireless running will stretch opposing defences ahead of a possible summer switch from the south coast.

Player to watch: When you have Seamus Coleman in front of you in the pecking order, game time is at a premium, however Cyrus Christie would do boss Martin O’Neill proud if called upon this summer. The Derby full-back has proved a success in the odd qualification game, his willingness to get forward on the overlap similar to Coleman while he is no slouch in the defensive department to boot.

How they qualified: No stranger to major tournament qualification playoffs, they got the rub of the green this time around after the French farce in 2009 robbed them of a 2010 World Cup spot. After finishing third behind Germany and Poland in Group D, they defeated Bosnia 3-1 on aggregate to qualify.

Line-up prediction: Randolph, Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Brady, Walters, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Hoolahan, Long