Michael Murphy can cause problems for the Australian defence.

While many critics of the upcoming International Rules series may try to point to the fact that the respective squads are far from representative of the best that each code has to offer, that premise runs fairly thin upon closer examination.

Of the 42 players named in the two squads, only 10 have achieved the highest honour in their games.

Only Tadhg Kennelly, Darran O’Sullivan, Stephen Cluxton, Eoin Cadogan, Kieran Donaghy, Steven McDonnell, Joe McMahon and Aidan Walsh have won All-Ireland medals.

On the Aussie side, only two current All-Australians have been named in Rodney Eade’s squad, leading to suggestions that the best of the AFL have not made themselves available.

But that is far from the whole story.

International Rules is neither purely Aussie Rules nor Gaelic football, but a mishmash of both, and the respective squads have been chosen according to each individual’s suitability to the compromise game.

Australia have chosen a typically fleet-footed squad of young stars, spread evenly across the country – a total of 15 AFL clubs are represented.

Anthony Tohill, meanwhile, has opted for a number of players renowned for their strong running ability, kicking prowess, and most importantly, their desire to play for their country.

So here we take a quick look at some of the perhaps lesser-known players that are likely to have a big impact on deciding who takes home the coveted Cormac McAnallen Cup this time around.

Emmet Bolton (Kildare): The Eadestown star has been, alongside the ever-present Johnny Doyle, Kildare’s best player under Kieren McGeeney.
McGeeney, now a selector in Tohill’s Irish management team, will be keen to use Bolton as much as possible to make the best use of his constant scoring threat raiding from wing back and his consummate reading of the game.
One would imagine that will be key in how Ireland set up their team.

Leighton Glynn (Wicklow): He was the player of the series in 2008 when Ireland claimed the Cormac McAnallen Cup.
Perfectly suited to the compromise game, should he join the party he will pose a constant headache for the Aussie half-back line with his tireless engine and clinical finishing.
If he decides to honour club hurling commitments and not travel, his loss will be sorely felt.

Michael Murphy (Donegal): The 22-year-old led Donegal to a long overdue Ulster title this year and almost helped his side to the All-Ireland final, pushing the Dubs all the way.

Donegal’s defensive set-up saw him spend much of the season in the forward line on his own, but he remained lethal from all angles despite the level of responsibility that was put on his young shoulders.

He certainly won’t be fazed by any ‘treatment’ directed his way in Oz, and could be a good bet to finish as top scorer, tipping the balance of the series Ireland’s way.