Here we introduce the players who will be representing England in the second European Nations Cup competition. They play their first game away to Russia on Sunday.

SHAUN BRISCOE (Hull FC) Full back

Has had a wonderful season after being a victim of Wigan Warriors' salary cap and moving to Hull FC. Ended the Super League campaign as the Young Player of the Year and held off Test candidates to be named in the Dream Team. Played in all 32 matches for Hull, scoring 25 tries, including four in one match. Made six appearances for England A at full back and centre, scoring one try. Went on England A's 2002 South Pacific tour.

Born: 23.2.83 Amateur club: Wigan St. Patricks

ROB BURROW (Leeds Rhinos) Scrum half

One of the game's smallest players at 5ft 5in, but also one of the biggest impact players. Excites the crowd every time he gets possession. A more than useful goal kicker, landing 18 in one match for England Under-21s against South Africa in 2002. Played in all but one of Leeds's 33 Cup and League matches on the way to winning the championship this season. Made seven appearances for England A, scoring five tries and a goal. Went on England A's 2002 South Pacific tour.

Born: 26.9.82 Amateur club: Featherstone Juniors

MARK CALDERWOOD (Leeds Rhinos) Winger

A winger with terrific pace. Scored four tries for England A against France last November to finish as the top try scorer with 33 in all matches. Has been in and out of the Leeds side this season, but finished on a high note with an impressive Grand Final appearance. Despite being London-born he has appeared three times for Yorkshire. Played six times for England A, scoring seven tries. Went on England A's 2002 South Pacific tour.

Born: 25.10.81 Amateur club: Milford

ANDY COLEY (Salford City Reds) Prop or second row

Began his professional career at Swinton Lions in 1997 and moved on to Salford City Reds after four seasons. Has made steady progress since to the fringe of full international honours. Played as a substitute for Lancashire in the first Game of Origin match against Yorkshire in 2002. His solid consistency up front helped Salford considerably in their battle against relegation this season, playing in all but one of their 29 Cup and League matches.

Born: 7.7.78 Amateur club: Laporte

EORL CRABTREE (Huddersfield Giants) Prop

The biggest of the Huddersfield Giants at 6ft 6in. Much has been expected of the young man mountain since making his senior debut for Huddersfield as a teenager in 2001. The following season he played a major role in the club's race to promotion as he scored 25 tries after appearing in 37 Cup and League matches, all of them at centre. He has moved into the pack since then, from the second row to prop.

Born: 2.10.82 Amateur club:

EWAN DOWES (Hull FC) Prop

A dual signing for the Leeds rugby league and union clubs, but now well settled in the 13-a-side game with Hull FC. Made only 11 first team appearances in three seasons at Leeds before moving to Hull last year and becoming a regular this season, missing only one of their 32 Cup and League matches. Played for Cumbria against New Zealand A last year, scoring a try in the 24-24 draw and has been named in this year's squad to play an Australia-New Zealand XIII.

Born: 4.3.81 Amateur club: Leeds Academy

WAYNE GODWIN (Wigan Warriors) Hooker

Snapped up by Wigan Warriors from Castleford Tigers almost immediately after the Yorkshire club were relegated this year. One of the few Castleford players to stand out during their long run of defeats, finishing with 59 goals and seven tries, including their last in Super League. Never knows when he is beaten. Came through the Castleford Academy side to make his senior debut in 2001 and emerge as one of the brightest young prospects in Super League.

Born: 13.3.82 Amateur club:

LEE GREENWOOD (London Broncos) Winger

London Broncos must have been impressed with his form since joining them from Halifax this year. He has not missed a match since his debut in the third round of Super League and totalled 17 tries. Clinched his place in the England squad with a late scoring burst that brought him six tries in their last five matches. Began his professional career with Sheffield Eagles in 1999 but played only a couple of matches for them.

Born: 28.9.80 Amateur club: Siddal

STUART JONES (Huddersfield Giants) Second row

One of the reasons for Huddersfield Giants being a much improved team this season. Signed from St. Helens and played in all 32 matches for the Giants. Began his Super League career with Wigan Warriors in 2002 but played only eight matches before moving on to St. Helens the same year. Made 19 appearances, all off the bench, for the Saints last year and has enjoyed being a regular starter since his move to Huddersfield.

Born: 7.12.81 Amateur club: Ince St. Williams

JAMIE LANGLEY (Bradford Bulls) Loose forward

Captain of the England Academy team that twice beat the Australian Schoolboys in 2002. Has been one to watch ever since and progression to the England squad was inevitable. The departure of some experienced players gave him his chance at Bradford Bulls this year and he has missed only two of their 32 matches. His father, John, played for Leeds and was in the 1972 championship-winning team. Jamie just missed out on emulating him when he was in the Bradford team beaten by Leeds in this year's Grand Final.

Born: 21.12.83 Amateur club: Normanton Knights

ANDY LYNCH (Castleford Tigers) Prop

Gained prominence as a great prospect when he was selected for the Super League Dream Team in 2003. Has continued to press his claims for higher honours and gained a place in this year's England squad despite his club's season long battle against relegation. Appeared as a substitute for Yorkshire in the last Game of Origin match two years ago. Made seven appearances for England A, scoring two tries, including one against Australia last year. Went on England A's 2002 South Pacific tour.

Born: 20.10.79 Amateur club: East Leeds

PAUL REILLY (Huddersfield Giants) Full back

A latecomer to the England squad, being selected as a replacement after Richard Mathers of Leeds Rhinos withdrew because of injury. It is fair reward for a player who has shown consistent good form since signing for Huddersfield in 1996. A very hard player to stop when he gets into his stride and can quickly turn defence into sudden attack. Has come back stronger than ever after a serious injury threatened his career a few years ago.

Born: 10.5.76 Amateur club:

ROB PARKER (Bradford Bulls) Prop

Captain. Earned his captaincy role this season with sterling performances in all four matches for England A last year, including one against a strong Australia side. Benefited from a nine-match spell on loan to London Broncos in 2001 and progressed to becoming a regular member of Bradford Bulls' impressive squad of forwards. Played in all 32 matches this season, frequently making a big impact as a substitute. Still only 23 he is sure to be a power for years to come.

Born: 5.9.81 Amateur club: Leigh East

GARETH RAYNOR (Hull FC) Winger

Returned from a brief spell with Leicester Rugby Union club to resume his zest for the 13-a-side game. Scored 13 tries in only 18 matches during an injury-hit season this year with his style likened to dual code star Jason Robinson. Started his professional career with Leeds Rhinos in 2000 but managed only three substitute appearances before moving to Hull the following year and is now a firm favourite with the Airle Birds' fans.

Born: 24.2.78 Amateur club: Castleford Panthers

LUKE ROBINSON (Salford City Reds) scrum half

Has been one to watch since making his debut for Wigan Warriors as a 17-year-old in 2002. Found it difficult to keep a first team spot while Test star Adrian Lam was there, but occasionally made a big impact, notably when scoring a hat-trick of tries against St. Helens. He was loaned to Castleford Tigers this season before returning to Wigan and then being given a surprise transfer to Salford City Reds. With regular first team games he is now expected to fulfil his potential.

Born: 25.7.84 Amateur club: Siddal

NICK SCRUTON (Leeds Rhinos)

Had an 18-match loan spell with Hull FC this year, but Leeds Rhinos made it clear his future lay with them and brought him back to join their Grand Final preparations although he did not make the squad. Two substitute appearances for Leeds remain his only matches so far for the Rhinos, but he is expected to make more next season. Gave Leeds an ironic reminder of his potential when he charged over for a Hull try playing against them this season.

Born: 24.12.84 Amateur club: Churwell

BEN WESTWOOD (Warrington Wolves) Centre

He was only 17 when he made his first team debut as a substitute for Wakefield Trinity at Limoux in a Treize Tournoi match. Only a few more appearances followed before he gained a more regular place in 2001 and then other clubs began to take notice. Warrington Wolves moved in and signed him the following year after he had just played as a substitute for Yorkshire in a Game of Origin match. A big, powerful runner with the potential to go far.

Born: 25.7.81 Amateur club: Normanton Knights

RICHARD WHITING (Hull FC) Utility back

First caught the eye as a teenage stand off with Featherstone Rovers in 2003. Hull FC soon decided he could make the big step up to the Tetley's Super League and he proved them right. Plans to ease him in gradually had to be abandoned when injuries hit the club hard, but the youngster rose to the challenge and played in 30 matches this year. After several substitute appearances he held on to a regular centre place in the latter half of the season.

Born: 20.12.84 Amateur club:

JON WILKIN (St. Helens) Back row forward

Has justified St. Helens' faith in him by making a success of the big step up to Super League from the lower division. Made his senior first team debut with Hull Kingston Rovers five years ago and was looking a great prospect when the Saints stepped in to sign him in 2003. After a steady start he became a regular member of St. Helens' first team squad and made 26 appearances this year. Showed his versatility by playing centre, hooker, second row and loose forward.

Born: 11.1.83 Amateur club: East Hull

KIRK YEAMAN (Hull FC) Centre

Made his Super League debut for Hull in 2001 while still only 17 and has been a first team regular for the past two seasons. Full international honours have been predicted since he made a successful tour with the England Academy squad to Australia and New Zealand in 2001. Any hopes Hull had of not overburdening the youngster this season had to be given up because of injuries and he has played in all but one of their 32 matches.

Born: 15.9.83 Amateur club: Myton Warriors