I've known Des since he first came on tour in 1976 - he's going to play a very special part in my team Ian Woosnam

Woosnam revealed his back-up team at a joint news conference with USA captain Tom Lehman at the event venue near Dublin on Wednesday.

Sandy Lyle and David J Russell will act as assistants to the two vice-captains.

"They are all friends of mine and we will make a close-knit team," said Woosnam, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups.

"I'll be more involved with Des and Peter. I'll be making decisions and asking their advice.

"Hopefully I'm picking two members who think like me and when we pick the team we'll be working all together."

Baker and Woosnam were a winning combination as players

Smyth, from Drogheda has been having a superb season on the Champions Tour in the States with two wins, leaving him sixth on the money list.

Now 52, he played in losing Ryder Cup teams in 1979 and 1981.

Woosnam said: "I've known Des since he first came on tour in 1976. He's going to play a very special part in my team.

"As well as being Irish, he's also playing really well on the American seniors tour at the moment."

Baker, 37, played in the 1993 Ryder Cup at The Belfry where he won three points out of four, two of them in partnership with Woosnam in the fourballs.

Have Your Say on Five Live Is Smyth the right choice?

"Peter is also a close friend of mine, has been for years, and will be a valuable member of the team," added Woosnam.

"He has a great sense of humour and, as we all know, each European Ryder Cup team has a togetherness allied to fun which is so important in bonding team spirit."

The 2006 Ryder Cup will be played on 22-24 September, the first time Ireland has staged the event.

Europe win Ryder Cup

Europe have dominated the biennial tournament in recent years, winning four of the last five matches, including a huge 18-1/2 to 9-1/2 victory last September, the worst defeat inflicted upon the US in event history.