Find out more about the 22 men who are looking to guide England to a historic World Cup triumph against South Africa in Paris on Saturday night.

1 - Loosehead prop - Andrew Sheridan, age 27, height 6ft 4ins, weight 19 stone, caps 17.

One of the key factors in England's success. Immensely strong, he was man-of-the match after his demolition of Australia's front row and has developed into one of the most fearsome props in the game both in the scrum and in with ball in hand.

2 - Hooker - Mark Regan. 35, 5ft 10ins, 14st 13lbs, caps 42.

His year has been a rugby fairy story. Regan came out of a three-year international retirement for the summer tour to South Africa, did enough to earn a World Cup squad slot then became first-choice hooker on the base of his combative scrummaging.

3 - Tighthead prop - Phil Vickery (captain), 31, 6ft 3ins, 18st 12lbs, caps 59.

Developing into a commanding captain having already established himself as a phenomenal prop. Missed two pool games through suspension and under huge pressure from Matt Stevens for the starting berth but, a veteran of 2003, he remains a cornerstone of England's pack.

4 - Lock - Simon Shaw, 34, 6ft 8ins, 19st 7lbs, caps 42.

Another happy ending for England's unluckiest player. Having inexplicably missed out on three previous World Cups he has grasped his opportunity with both hands with a series of awesome displays in the scrum and rampaging around the pitch. A key factor in England's improvement here.

5 - Lock - Ben Kay, 31, 6ft 6ins, 18st 8lbs, caps 52.

Set to match Lawrence Dallaglio's 2003 achievement of playing in every minute of the tournament. Kay is another World Cup winner who has gone about his business efficiently and effectively. Makes the lineout calls and will hope to avoid a repeat of his 2003 blunder when he dropped the ball over the Australian tryline.

6 - Flanker - Martin Corry, 34, 6ft 5ins, 18st, caps 63.

A remarkable comeback for a player who carried much of the criticism of England's dire run under his captaincy last year. His lionhearted commitment to the cause is a rallying point for those around him. No pace, little variety but plays with an unstinting courage.

7 - Flanker - Lewis Moody, 29, 6ft 4ins, 16st 7lbs, caps 51.

Began the tournament down the pecking order but his extraordinary display when given his first start for a year against Tonga helped galvanise the whole squad and his fearless, almost suicidal, charges have become a focal point ever since. Came on as a replacement in the 2003 final.

8 - Number eight - Nick Easter, 29, 6ft 4ins, 18st 2lbs, caps 11.

Began the tournament as second fiddle to Dallaglio but was promoted to the starting berth for the game against South Africa and his energetic, sure-handed displays since have kept him there.

9 - Scrumhalf - Andy Gomarsall, 33, 5ft 9ins, 13st 7lbs, caps 32.

The comeback of comebacks for a player without a club a little over a year ago. After 11 years in and out of the squad, usually as second or third choice, he has seized his chance wonderfully. At 33 he is darting about like a 17-year-old and offers a solid delivery and kicking variety in attack and a cool head in defence.

10 - Flyhalf - Jonny Wilkinson, 28, 5ft 10ins, 13st 11lbs, caps 64.

The heartbeat of the team, even when his goalkicking has been patchy and his passing sometimes chequered. Delivered when it mattered most with late penalty and drop goal to beat France, just as he did four years ago to win the final. An absolutely colossal presence and the difference between England turning up, and having a chance.

11 - Left wing - Mark Cueto, 27, 6ft, 15st 1lb, caps 23.

Called back into the starting team for injured Josh Lewsey having been out of the squad for the last two games. A prolific finisher in the first part of his international career but, hampered by injury, is yet to reproduce his best form here.

12 - Inside centre - Mike Catt, 36, 5ft 11ins, 13st 10lbs, caps 74.

The oldest player to appear in a World Cup final, he is enjoying his umpteenth comeback having been dropped earlier in the tournament. A veteran of the 1995 tournament and a replacement in the 2003 final, he brings a calm assurance and an eye for a gap. Man of the match in semi-final.

13 - Outside centre - Mathew Tait, 22, 6ft, 14st 2lbs, caps 18.

The youngest England player to appear in a final, Tait has yet to deliver the effervescent breaks that mark his club career but has matured by the game here and remains a classy runner.

14 - Right wing - Paul Sackey. 27, 6ft 1ins, 14st 4lbs, caps 9.

Arrived as a back-up but quickly developed into an integral part of the side. Showed his well-known pace to score two tries against Samoa and against Tonga but has won new admirers for his committed tackling and assured defending.

15 - Fullback - Jason Robinson, 33, 5ft 8ins, 13st 5lbs, caps 50.

Final will be the last game of rugby for one of the sport's great ambassadors. Missed the group games against Samoa and Tonga with hamstring injury but roared back as England's best player against Australia and a constant threat against France. Would dearly love to bow out with a second winners' medal after scoring England's only try in the 2003 final.

Replacements:

16 - Hooker George Chuter, 31, 5ft 11ins, 15st 12lbs, caps 18.

Unlucky to fall behind Regan after some impressive displays in the loose but almost assured of an appearance on Saturday.

17 - Prop - Matt Stevens, 25, 6ft 1ins, 18st 12lbs, caps 20.

Proved his pedigree by keeping Vickery out of the starting side when the captain returned from suspension. The former junior Springbok has developed into a strong scrummager and has been thrown on to make an impact for the last 20 minutes in both knockout games.

18 - Loose forward - Lawrence Dallaglio, 35, 6ft 4ins, 17st 4lbs, caps 84.

The man who just will not be kept down. A veteran of every minute's action in the 2003 campaign, he was dropped after the opening game here but forced his way back onto the bench. Few signs of his former trademark charges but granite-jawed defiance has been a useful alternative in the tense late stages.

19 - Loose forward - Joe Worsley, 30, 6ft 5ins, 17st 2lbs, caps 64.

Lost his starting place due to Moody's magnificence but is a monstrous tackler to throw on from the bench. His full-stretch tap-tackle on France wing Vincent Clerk almost certainly kept England in the tournament.

20 - Scrumhalf - Peter Richards, 29, 5ft 9ins, 14st, caps 11.

Has been a regular off the bench here, initially behind Shaun Perry but now Gomarsall and has been sharp and reliable in some hugely tense environments. Was part of the 1998 "Tour of Hell" but did not make his debut until eight years later.

21 - Flyhalf - Toby Flood, 22, 6ft 2ins, 14st 6lbs, caps 11.

A late addition to the squad for injured centre Jamie Noon, he was given a place on the bench against Australia after injuries ruled out Andy Farrell and Olly Barkley. Went on and did well with ball in hand and tactical kicking, did the same against France and impressed Ashton enough to keep his bench place for the final.

22 - Centre - Dan Hipkiss, 25, 5ft 10ins, 14st 7lbs, caps 5.

Arrived in France with two caps to his name but showed assurance in a couple of late replacement outings. Played all the second half of the semi-final against France where he looked entirely at home with the ball.

Reuters