The men to bring the cup home!

He is the rock of the Saints defence, and his 'They shall not pass' attitude was typified by his crunching last ditch tackle on certain scorer Franny Cummins last Friday night.

Wellens represented Great Britain in the 2001 Ashes series against Australia but was forced out of the 2002 series against New Zealand after fracturing his cheekbone against Bradford Bulls in the 2002 Grand Final. Wellens played 80 minutes in Saints' World Club Challenge victory over Brisbane in 2001 despite fracturing an eye socket in the first-half.

Wing

Ade Gardner (2)

The speedy Cumbrian three-quarter joined Saints from Barrow Border Raiders on a three year contract in October 2001 and is now showing his true qualities with the ball.

He grabbed two tries in the semi-final win over Huddersfield, the second being a magnificent 75 metre effort. He exudes confidence, pace and a willingness to go for the line.

Scored two tries in three Tests for GB Academy on 2001 tour to Australia and New Zealand. Ade established himself as a first team regular in 2003 and scored a bag-full of tries for the victorious England A team in the European Nations Cup in 2003.

Wing

Dom Feaunati (22)

Big Samoan World Cup rugby union convert has been a revelation so far this season, becoming an immediate crowd favourite. His tackle on Bradford's Michael Withers in the opening round prompted the response: "I have never been hit as hard as that!" from Bulls' experienced full back. The 25-year-old is still on the learning curve - but he has given Saints so much already this year, most notably his sheer size.

Centre

Martin Gleeson (3)

Wigan-born centre Gleeson moved to Knowsley Road from Huddersfield Giants in 2002. Martin scored 15 tries in 33 games in the 2002 season and was named in the Tetley's Super League Dream Team.

His performances helped secure a Great Britain call-up against Australia and New Zealand. Last season was disrupted by injuries, one of which required an operation requiring a skin graft to his leg.

Centre

Willie Talau (4)

Kiwi international centre Talau joined the club on loan from Canterbury Bulldogs last August to answer an SOS to aid Saints' depleted ranks. He played in the back row to help out, but since being restored to his natural centre berth he has been on top form.

He scorched in for Saints' winner against Leeds in round five and his 60 metre effort against the same opponents has been another of the highlights this season. He is big, strong, quick and able to get the ball out of the tackle. Talau has 12 NZ caps and played for the Kiwis at Old Trafford in the 2000 World Cup Final.

Wing

Darren Albert (5)

The flying Aussie joined Saints for 2002 in a three-year deal after scoring 65 tries in 89 games for Newcastle Knights. The NSW State of Origin winger grabbed the winning try for Newcastle in their 1997 Grand Final win over Manly.

2002 was a fantastic year for Albert, as he scored 24 tries in 36 games and was named in the Tetley's Super League Dream Team.

Although he had a relatively quiet 2003, Albert has started this season on fine form, illustrated by his stunning 70 metre try against Leeds last Friday.

Stand-off

Jason Hooper (6)

Replacing Tommy Martyn was always going to be a hard act to follow - particularly when the player in question was still at the club when Hooper arrived last year.

To make matters even trickier Hooper played much of last season with niggling injuries, which affected his performances.

Equally at home at centre, stand off or loose forward, his versatility together with his 'smart' footballing skills have made him a vital member of the Saints squad. He has been a revelation at number six this year - just showing what impact a settled position can have!

Scrum half

Sean Long (7)

Wiganer Long has started the season on fine form, both on attack and in defence, and he is determined to put right the Murrayfield defeat of 2002 after a blistering semi-final display.

Long's career has been packed with individual honours, winning the Man of Steel award in 2000 and the Lance Todd trophy in the 2001 win over Bradford.

Sadly his 2001 was abruptly halted by a late tackle against Huddersfield which required a major knee-reconstruction.

A try scorer in Saints World Club Challenge victory in 2001 and scored the match winning drop goal against the Bradford Bulls in the 2002 Grand Final.

Prop

Nick Fozzard (8)

When you have boots of the size of Aussie prop Darren Britt's to fill, you need a player who is going to measure up! Yorkshireman Fozzard has fitted the bill perfectly since joining from Warrington. He leads from the front with a fearless running style with no fear of life or limb. Remarkably despite his all action approach, Fozzard is able to keep going, regularly clocking up 75 minutes on the park. A brilliant buy for Saints!

Hooker

Keiron Cunningham (9)

Thatto Heath-born Cunningham has started 2004 like a man possessed and with a determination to regain his standing as the world's number one hooker.

A superb dummy half, Cunningham boasts tremendous strength and pace and is crucial to Saints fast moving style of play which has defences back-pedalling. Cunningham has not had the best of luck with injuries in recent seasons, but 10 years since joining the club he now looks to be hittng his best form once more.

He missed the 2001 Ashes series and the 2002 Test Series against New Zealand through injury.

One of 10 children with eldest brother, Eddie, a former international who won Challenge Cup winners medals with Saints in 1976 and Widnes in 1981.

Prop

Keith Mason (16)

Mason took a while to win over the fans, who prefer their props a bit chunkier, when he joined from Melbourne Storm in June 2003.

He made his debut in Saints' 34-38 home loss to the Wigan Warriors the following week.

A hard-hitting prop-forward, Mason started his rugby career at Dewsbury Moor before joining Wakefield Academy.

His last three games for Saints have been outstanding - and have probably guaranteed him a starting spot at Cardiff.

Second row

Chris Joynt (11)

The long serving packman joined Saints from Oldham in 1992 taking over the captaincy from Bobbie Goulding in August 1997.

Joynt leads by example and usually comes near the top of the tackle counts. He earned his reputation as a devastating runner, which saw him score many crucial big match tries, most notably the crucial one against Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge.

That performance earned him the man of match award to add to his two Harry Sunderland Trophy awards. He may have lost a yard of pace, but he still able to graft and his experience is also invaluable in a younger pack. Likely to be his last season at Saints.

Second row

Lee Gilmour (12)

A native of Dewsbury, Great Britain second-rower or centre Lee Gilmour, has already starred for two of Saints biggest Super League rivals, Wigan and Bradford, but he had a new lease of life since moving to the Saints.

Gilmour got used to being on the bench at Odsal, but he has proved he is more than capable of playing for the full 80 minutes. A devastating runner, he has already used his pace to score some blistering tries in the red vee!

Loose Forward

Paul Sculthorpe (13)

Back-to-back Man of Steel winner in 2001 and 2002, Sculthorpe took over the captaincy at the start of this season. Sculthorpe has the lot - speed, skill, strength and a fiercely competitive streak.

Oldham-born Sculthorpe joined Saints from Warrington in December 1997 in a £370,000 record deal for a forward.

A Great Britain regular who usually has to switch to stand off to accommodate skipper Andy Farrell.

But how long that will continue will be down to new GB boss Brian Noble!

Sub forward

Mark Edmondson (18)

Edmondson is speedy for a front rower, showing his pace with a long range try in the opening round at Btradford.

He is also quite aggressive and enjoys watching ultimate fighting videos in his spare time! The forward signed from Vale of Lune RU in 1997 and made his debut against Salford in March 1999. Edmondson scored 3 tries in 17 games in 2002 for the Saints and travelled to the South Pacific with the England A team.

Despite his long spell at Saints, he has yet to play in a Challenge Cup or Grand Final.

Sub forward

Jon Wilkin (21)

Wilkin signed for Saints from Hull KR at the end of the 2002 NFP season - and has forced his way into the first team reckoning with some skilful displays. At 21, the Liverpool University geography student is one of Britain's most promising back row forwards.

His harsh four match ban picked up for a high tackle on Paul Deacon on Easter Monday, will be up in time for the cup final.

He played in both Test Matches for England Academy side as they defeated the previously unbeaten Australian Schoolboys in December 2002.

Sub forward

Ricky Bibey (20)

A former Wigan prop-forward with plenty of potential, Ricky signed for Saints after spending part of 2003 on loan at Leigh Centurions. A native of Leigh, Ricky started his rugby career with Leigh Miners Rangers at age 7 and switched to Leigh East at age 12, where he stayed until he was 16, although he was snapped-up by the Warriors at age 14. Highlight of his career to date is the Murrayfield Challenge Cup win over Saints.

Sub forward

Maurie Fa'asavalu (23)

A powerhouse flanker in the Samoan Rugby Union World Cup squad, Maurie's tough tackling, strong running style could suit rugby league.

Once he learns the ropes, Fa'asavalu looks to have all the raw material to follow in Apollo Perelini's footsteps.

Sub back

Ian Hardman (24)

A fullback/winger, Hardman has progressed through the ranks at Saints and was a try-scorer for the England U17s side in their series victory over Australian Institute of Sport in December 2003.

He made one first team appearance in 2003 and is making the most of his first team chances this season.

Sub forward

James Graham (24)

Graham was player of the year for Saints Academy last season and picked up a Man of the Series award following his performances for England U17s against Australian Institute of Sport in December 2003.

Sub forward

Tim Jonkers (17)

Amsterdam-born Jonkers has bags of experience, but the final may have just come too soon following his recovery from major knee surgery. A workaholic in the tackling department.

Mike Bennett, Mick Higham and John Stankevitch are all sidelined with injuries or recuperating after operations.