Preview: 1st Ashes Test - Australia
v Great Britain

It's been a surprising lead-up to this Test Series for both sides, leaving no clear favourite now that the dust appears to have finally settled and the players can get down to doing what they do best.

In the backdrop, Australia entered this Tour with a vastly under-strength team, missing up to 18 first choice selections, and a coach who was under siege at his club. Adding to that was the emphatic 30-16 victory by the New Zealanders over Australia in the Centenary Test Match in North Harbour.

With their backs against the wall, Australia seemed flat and lacking in cohesion against a French Selection XIII and a revved up England A. Disharmony appeared to invade the touring squad, with rumblings of discontent over on-field issues emanating from certain corners. Claims of complacency fuelled speculation, with firebrand forward Willie Mason labelling the trip a "Contiki Tour".

It's amazing what a good win can do though, with all these problems evaporated at Brewery Field in Bridgend last Sunday. The Aussies regrouped and destroyed the Welsh National side in a 76-4 victory resembling the guile and sheer ruthlessness of a killer whale attacking a pod of seals.

It was now time for the selection dramas to enter the fray.

Three days ago, Kangaroos coach Chris Anderson named an inexperienced centre combination of Craig Wing and Phil Bailey, which astounded most and confused all. Wing has only had two games in the centres, both during his time at South Sydney.

Then it was the Pommies turn. Great Britain coach David Waite showed he could pull a couple of surprises for the opening Test of the Ashes series against Australia at Wigan on Saturday night, when he picked Richard Horne at wing, a player who's normally a fullback, five-eighth or half with his club Hull. Other less contentious issues included veteran Mike Forshaw at lock, with captain Andy Farrell and Jamie Peacock in the second row and Sydney Roosters prop Adrian Morley at prop.

With the British side having more than twice the experience, a total of 179 Test matches, it certainly appears as though the stage is set for the young Kangaroos (83 Tests between them) to repay the faith invested in them by the selectors.

Player by player review for the Australian and Great Britain sides to meet in the first Ashes Test at Wigan's JJB Stadium on Sunday morning (AEST):

AUSTRALIA

1. Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) Age: 26. Height: 178cm. Weight: 86kg. Caps: 17. Still the most dangerous fullback in the world and highly rated by Great Britain. A potent ball runner and exceptionally safe in defence and under the high ball.

2. Shannon Hegarty (Sydney Roosters) Age: 24. Height: 184cm. Weight: 87kg. Caps: 2. An explosive player with speed to burn who has to be watched out of dummy half. Playing his third Test for Australia.

3. Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters) Age: 23. Height: 180cm. Weight: 86kg. Caps: 2. Has little experience in the centres but will still prove a handful for the British. Has great speed and strength and another player who loves to sneak into dummy half.

4. Phil Bailey (Cronulla) Age: 23. Height: 188cm. Weight: 101kg. Caps: 1. Has come from the clouds this year to play Origin and Test football. Reliable defender who is also at home in the back row.

5. Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters) Age: 23. Height: 180cm. Weight: 82kg. Caps: 1. The Brits will be wise to kick away from Minichiello, whose bumping runs have been a trademark at the Roosters this season.

6. Craig Gower (Penrith) Age: 25. Height: 174cm. Weight: 89kg. Caps: 5. The rock on which Penrith's premiership was built. Has it all - a good running game, solid kicking game and great organisational skills.

7. Brett Kimmorley (Cronulla) Age: 27. Height: 172cm. Weight: 80kg. Caps: 7. Didn't have his best year at the Sharks but is looking to finish it off with a bang. Another explosive runner who loves to take on the line.

8. Shane Webcke (Brisbane) Age: 29. Height: 183cm. Weight: 112kg. Caps: 9. The veteran front rower is set for a titanic showdown with Britain's Adrian Morley. The cornerstone of the Australian pack.

9. Danny Buderus (Newcastle) Age: 25. Height: 178cm. Weight: 91kg. Caps: 8. Crafty hooker is without partner-in-crime Andrew Johns and looking to forge new partnership with Kimmorley. His battle with Terry Newton should be a beauty.

10. Robbie Kearns (Melbourne) Age: 31. Height: 185cm. Weight: 101kg. Caps: 11. Veteran forward could be on his last Kangaroo tour. Can be relied upon to always put his hand up and never lets Australia down.

11. Craig Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters) Age: 26. Height: 190cm. Weight: 97kg. Caps: 1. Tireless forward was on his way to being rated the best second-rower in the world before injury struck mid-season. Has bounced back quickly.

12. Steve Simpson (Newcastle) Age: 24 Height: 190cm Weight: 102kg Caps: 2. Another player whose year was disrupted by injury. Can be devastating out wide where he feeds off Kimmorley and loves running at the smaller men.

13. Luke Ricketson (Sydney Roosters) Age: 30. Height: 190cm. Weight: 102kg. Caps: 1. The unsung hero of the forward pack is finally getting his dues. The former Ireland World Cup forward does the dirty work that often goes unnoticed.

Interchange:

14. Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane) Age: 27. Height: 193cm. Weight: 110kg. Caps: 5. Missed the loss to New Zealand through suspension and has been welcomed back with open arms. Can be devastating in defence.

15. Trent Waterhouse (Penrith) Age: 22. Height: 193cm. Weight: 107kg. Caps: 0. The find of the Kangaroo tour. Tall and rangy with good skills. Could provide some real impact off the bench with his ability to offload.

16. Willie Mason (Bulldogs) Age: 23. Height: 195cm. Weight: 115kg. Caps: 3. Hasn't had his best season but a devastating ball runner at his best. Skittles defenders with his size.

17. Michael Crocker (Sydney Roosters) Age: 23. Height: 187cm. Weight: 100kg. Caps: 0. Has been dubbed the man to provide the fire in the Kangaroos in the absence of now retired Gorden Tallis. Versatile and aggressive.

Coach: Chris Anderson Has an impeccable record with Australia but knows this could be his last series in charge. Anderson was a two-time Kangaroo tourist as a player and has taken that success into coaching. He mentored Canterbury and Melbourne to premiership success and is yet to lose a series with Australia. A real players' coach, but finding to going a little tough down at Cronulla these days, with the possibility he could be out of a job when he returns.

GREAT BRITAIN

1. Kris Radlinski (Wigan) Age: 27. Height: 183cm. Weight: 92kg. Caps: 17. Australians haven't seen the best of Radlinski but he's bounced back from injury this year to retain his Great Britain jersey. As reliable as a Swiss watch.

2. Brian Carney (Wigan) Age: 27. Height: 178cm. Weight: 90kg. Caps: 0. Former Gaelic footballer making his debut for Great Britain. Carney is the first Irishman to play for Great Britain in more than 40 years.

3. Gary Connolly (Leeds) Age: 32. Height: 186cm. Weight: 87kg. Caps: 29. The old man river of the Great Britain side. Flirted with rugby union before returning to rugby league with Leeds. Still a great defender but yet to score a try in 29 games for the Lions.

4. Keith Senior (Leeds) Age: 27. Height: 191cm. Weight: 102kg. Caps: 14. Big, strong centre who is highly rated in England. Had one of his best seasons in 2003 and will look to take advantage of Australia's inexperienced centres.

5. Richard Horne (Hull) Age: 21. Height: 183cm. Weight: 85kg. Caps: 5. A surprise selection on the wing, Horne made his debut for Hull at the age of 16 but is more recognised as a fullback or half. A dangerous runner of the football.

6. Paul Sculthorpe (St Helens) Age: 26. Height: 191cm. Weight: 107kg. Caps: 18. One of the few players who could hold his head up after last year's 64-10 loss to Australia in Sydney. World-class footballer who carries the Lions hopes in his gifted hands.

7. Sean Long (St Helens) Age: 27. Height: 175cm. Weight: 83kg. Caps: 4. Has had precious few chances against the Kangaroos due to injury. Is in the mould of all English halfbacks - smart with a good kicking game and lots of cheek.

8. Stuart Fielden (Bradford) Age: 24. Height: 191cm. Weight: 107kg. Caps: 8. Another world-class player who is capable of playing the entire 80 minutes. Was named in the world XIII last season and won't lose anything against his Australian opponents.

9. Terry Newton (Wigan) Age: 24. Height: 180cm. Weight: 93kg. Caps: 2. Finally gets his chance after playing second fiddle to Keiron Cunningham. Newton is a tough defender who turns 25 the day before the Test.

10. Adrian Morley (Sydney Roosters) Age: 26. Height: 189cm. Weight: 104kg. Caps: 9. Arguably the best forward in the world after his finish to the season with the Sydney Roosters. Aggressive defender who will set the tempo from the kick-off.

11. Jamie Peacock (Bradford) Age: 25. Height: 195cm. Weight: 101kg. Caps: 7. Named the Man of Steel in England - the award given to the best player in the Super League - after a breakthrough year. Can be damaging running out wide.

12. Andy Farrell (Wigan) Age: 28. Height: 193cm. Weight: 109kg. Caps: 26. The Great Britain captain has never really shown his best against Australia and this could be a crucial series for him. Needs to produce.

13. Mike Forshaw (Bradford) Age: 33. Height: 183cm. Weight: 95kg. Caps: 11. A veteran forward who is a favourite of coach David Waite. The hard-working Forshaw was the only player in the squad born when Britain last won the Ashes.

Interchange:

14. Paul Anderson (Bradford) Age: 32. Height: 188cm. Weight: 127kg. Caps: 8. A mountain of a man who is coming to the end of his career. Could be a key figure off the bench for Great Britain.

15. Barrie McDermott (Leeds) Age: 31. Height: 178cm. Weight: 111kg. Caps: 12. The firebrand first made his name against Australia on the 1994 tour and continues to terrorise opponents. His reputation sometimes overshadows his ability.

16. Paul Deacon (Bradford) Age: 24. Height: 175cm. Weight: 89kg. Caps: 5. Lost out to Sean Long for the coveted halfback spot but will still be vital to Britain. Has a solid kicking game and underrated attacking ability.

17. Lee Gilmour (Bradford) Age: 25. Height: 188cm. Weight: 95kg. Caps: 5. Gilmour is similar to Australia's Phil Bailey in that he can play in the centres or second row. Played for Scotland in the 2000 World Cup.

Coach: David Waite Former Newcastle, St George and St George Illawarra coach who took the Dragons to the grand final before departing Australia to help develop the game in Great Britain. Waite has been lauded for his work in setting up a solid structure for players in England but his only clash with Australia resulted in an embarrassing 64-10 defeat. Will leave Britain at the end of this series and wants to go out a winner.