Gareth Raynor

Age: 31

Date of Birth: 24th Feb 1978

Place of Birth: Leeds

Position: Winger

PROFILE:

A rugby union convert, Raynor switched to league with the Rhinos and was then snapped up by Hull in 2001. He had a brief spell with Leicester Tigers but bought out his own contract to rejoin Hull. Regarded as one of the most dangerous and explosive wingers in Super League, he scored 15 tries last season and is edging towards a 100 with the black and whites. His ability to carry the ball from deep makes him an extra forward and 2006 culminated in a match-clinching try for Great Britain in Sydney against Australia.

The following year Raynor repeated his try-scoring feat, this time crossing over at the KC Stadium against New Zealand, helping Great Britain to a 3-0 series whitewash.

With an unsettled half-back pairing and a lack of ball out wide, Hull and Raynor struggled for tries in 2008, with the international winger crossing for just eight. Despite his tally, Raynor's contribution in the 2008 campaign was immense, with his running in the backfield a particular influence on the success Hull had.

Selection for the World Cup at the end of 2008 seemed a certainty, but injury struck, ruling Raynor out of a dream trip to Australia as he pulled out of Tony Smith's England squad.

That same injury would keep Raynor on the sidelines until late May, with the winger making his first appearance of the season in the round 14 defeat at Leeds.