McDermott is a formidable sight going forward

Lee Gilmour
Club: Bradford Bulls
Date of birth: 12/3/78
Position: Centre
Caps: 0
Gilmour can also play in the back row. His versatility and pace make him a key member of the Bulls squad.

Martin Gleeson
Club: St Helens
Date of birth: 28/5/80
Position: Centre
Caps: 0
Gleeson has shot to prominence with this season following his move from Huddersfield at the end of last year. The England under-21 international has great pace and an eye for a gap in the opposition's defence.

Paul Johnson
Club: Wigan Warriors
Date of birth: 25/11/78
Position: Centre
Caps: 4
Johnson emerged with a great deal of credit following last year's Ashes series. Performed well in all three Tests, scoring early on in the third at Wigan's JJB Stadium. Can also play on the wing.

Joynt never takes a backward step

Chris Joynt
Club: St Helens
Date of birth: 7/12/71
Position: Second row
Caps: 23
Joynt, like Andy Farrell, is a born leader. The Saints captain never takes a backward step and often chips in with a valuable try.

Paul King
Club: Hull FC
Date of birth: 28/6/79
Position: Front row/second row/hooker
Caps: 1
King has been one of the key men behind Hull's recent rise. Solid in defence and quick off the mark, he could be one of the unlucky two to miss out.

Barrie McDermott
Club: Leeds Rhinos
Date of birth: 22/7/72
Position: Prop
Caps: 9
McDermott is one of the players Australia will fear most. A formidable sight going forward, his power, pace and aggression will ensure he will be a marked man in Sydney.

Peacock scored the first try of last year's Ashes series

Terry Newton
Club: Wigan Warriors
Date of birth: 7/11/78
Position: Hooker
Caps: 1
Newton missed last year's Ashes series with a broken arm. Likely to play second fiddle to Keiron Cunningham in Sydney but should still earn a place in the 17-man team.

Terry O'Connor
Club: Wigan Warriors
Date of birth: 13/10/72
Position: Prop
Caps: 11
Will come face to face with old foes Gorden Tallis and Jason Stevens after well-publicised battles with the Aussie duo. Was floored by Tallis in a World Cub Championship game in 1997 and them narrowly avoided a serious eye injury after being stamped on by Stevens last year.

Jamie Peacock
Club: Bradford Bulls
Date of birth4/12/77
Position: Second row
Caps: 3
Australia will be wary of Peacock after his try in the very first minute of last year's first Test. Well-thought of by the Bulls, who recently tied him down to a new contract.

Senior's pace could cause Australia problems

Karl Pratt
Club: Leeds Rhinos
Date of birth: 18/7/80
Position: Wing
Caps: 0
Pratt has struggled to command a starting spot at Leeds but earned his place in the GB squad with his displays in the Origin Series. Can play in a number of positions but more at home on the wing.

Kris Radlinski
Club: Wigan Warriors
Date of birth: 9/4/76
Position: Full-back
Caps: 16
Radlinski is one of the first names David Waite pencils in on his team-sheet. A world-class performer who showed his pedigree by coming off his sick bed to inspire Wigan to a shock win over St Helens in the 2002 Challenge Cup final.

Ryan Sheridan
Club: Club: Leeds Rhinos
Date of birth: 24/5/75
Position: Scrum-half
Caps: 2
Sheridan has bounced back brilliantly after a terrible 2001. He is the only recognised scrum-half on the tour but his spot is not guaranteed.

Paul Sculthorpe
Club: St Helens
Date of birth: 22/9/77
Position: Loose forward/stand-off
Caps: 15
Sculthorpe is probably the top player in Super League this season and is already on course to retain his 2001 Man of Steel award. Caused a scare by clashing heads with Barrie McDermott in the first Origin game but was outstanding for Saints against Bradford after a week out with concussion.

Fielden missed the Origin Series because of injury

Keith Senior
Club: Leeds Rhinos
Date of birth: 24/4/76
Position: Centre
Caps: 8+2
Keith is one of the most feared centres in the world. Could be the player to cause the Australian defence the most problems. Has searing pace and an eye for the tryline.

Kevin Sinfield
Club: Leeds Rhinos
Date of birth: 12/9/80
Position: Loose forward/stand-off
Caps: 4
Kevin has given David Waite another option by playing so well at stand-off for Leeds. Normally a loose forward, he has formed a fantastic half-back partnership with Ryan Sheridan but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

Paul Wellens
Club: St Helens
Date of birth: 27/2/80
Position: Full-back
Caps: 3
Wellens has found it difficult to shift Kris Radlinski from the full-back spot but has plenty of admirers, many of whom think should be accommodated elsewhere in the team. Could challenge Ryan Sheridan for the scrum-half role.