David Strettle - England

Date of Birth: 23/07/83
Debut: 24/02/07 (vs Ireland)
Club: Harlequins
Caps (pre 2008 RBS 6 Nations): 4
Position: Wing

David made a fantastic start to his England career - he scored on his international debut in the RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland in 2007. Sadly, it was England's only try in a 43-13 defeat.
He was also in the starting XV for the win over France and the defeat to Wales and was named Young Player of the Season by the Professional Rugby Players' Association. However, a broken bone in his foot wrecked the winger's hopes of taking part in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
As a teenager, he was a talented footballer, and had trials for Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City - but they wanted him to give up all other sport. Rugby was his first love. He cut his teeth with Cheshire side Lymm RFC, before moving to Rotherham and then Harlequins.
A regular in the England sevens squad, he created IRB Sevens' history with five first-half tries on his England debut against Papua New Guinea.

 

Rory Lamont - Scotland

Date of Birth: 10/10/82
Debut: 12/03/05 (vs Wales)
Club: Sale Sharks
Caps (pre 2008 RBS 6 Nations): 14
Position: Wing/Full Back

After a whirlwind start to his professional career, Rory made a memorable try-scoring debut for Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations match against Wales in March 2005. He joined elder brother Sean in the line-up that day, when they became the 19th set of brothers to play together for Scotland.
For a while, it was Sean who grabbed the headlines. However, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Rory finally came of age. He scored two tries in each of Scotland's opening games, against Portugal and Romania, and on his return to Scotland was named The Famous Grouse Player of the Year.
It represented another impressive milestone in a remarkably swift rise to the top - he played for Scotland after just 10 games for Glasgow in his first season as a pro. And that rise looks set to continue after his move from Glasgow to Premiership giants Sale Sharks.


 

Andrew Trimble - Ireland

Date of Birth: 20/10/84
Debut: 19/11/04 (vs Australia
Club: Ulster
Caps (pre 2008 RBS 6 Nations): 19
Position: Wing

Andrew is one of an exciting new breed of Irish backline talents. He burst on to the international scene in the 30-14 defeat by Australia in 2005, when he replaced injured captain Brian O'Driscoll. He scored two tries against Romania the following week and has since established himself as yet another devastating runner at Ireland's disposal.
Andrew started as a rangy winger who could break tackles, and since spending time in the gym is even harder to stop. He's lost none of his speed, however, and is first choice for the No11 jersey.
Just as impressive for his home province of Ulster, he was named Newcomer of the Year by the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association in 2005, and Ulster's Player of the Year in 2006. A theology student, he's also played drums for local rock band Creche near his Northern Ireland home.
 

James Hook - Wales

Date of Birth: 27/06/85
Debut: 11/06/06 (vs Argentina)  
Club: Ospreys
Caps (pre 2008 RBS 6 Nations): 19
Position: Fly-half/Inside centre

James is regarded as one of the most talented young players in world rugby, and was recently acknowledged as the most promising young player in Wales. He possesses good distribution skills, great tactical awareness, and reliable goal kicking, but his popularity in Wales is largely due to his exciting running style - a tradition of Welsh fly-half play. This has led to comparisons with Welsh legend Barry John, who has hailed him as "a real star of the future".
After excelling at under-21 level, James starred for the Welsh sevens team and scored the winning try against South Africa in the plate final of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. That was followed by a full home debut against Australia, when he replaced the injured Stephen Jones and scored 13 points in a spirited 29-29 draw.
James played throughout the 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship, and saved his best till last - with 22 of Wales's 27 points against England for their only win of the tournament.