Eight Warriors in Lancashire Origin squad

• Eight Warriors have been named in Lancashire’s 19-man squad to face Yorkshire in the deciding game of the Academy Origin Series.
• Trent Kelly-Duffy and Kian McDermott have been called up to the squad for the first time this series.
• Lancashire require a draw to win the series at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 August.

Eight Warriors have been included in Lancashire’s 19-man squad to face Yorkshire in the deciding game of the Academy Origin Series.

Head of England Pathways, Paul Anderson, has named the squads for the third and final Academy Origin encounter of 2023, which includes eight Warriors in the Lancashire side.

Warriors second-rower Trent Kelly-Duffy and prop forward Kian McDermott have been called up to the squad for the first time this series, where they will join Jack Farrimond, Noah Hodkinson, Taylor Kerr, Nathan Lowe, Lukas Mason, and Tom Ratchford, who have all featured previously.

Lancashire require a draw to win the series for a second year in succession, after they won the opening match 42-20 in Castleford before the sides played out an exciting 32-32 draw at Hull KR’s Sewell Group Craven Park Stadium in which Hodkinson, Kerr and Lowe all scored.

Speaking on the squads, Paul Anderson said: “This is where we identify and develop the players who have the potential to become elite performers on the domestic and international stage, and through Academy Origin and the international against France we’ve learned a lot this year about a lot of players.

“With this game in particular we have a major focus on blooding players from the younger end of the Academy age group, plus some players who have improved during the season. I’m really excited to be able to introduce even more fresh faces for game three, so we’re about to find out who else can make the step up to the next level.”

Lancashire are coached by Wigan Warriors Head of Youth Performance, Shane Eccles, who will be assisted by Warrington Wolves’ Ryan O’Brien.

The deciding game will be contested at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 August (12pm K.O.). Supporters can attend the match in Warrington for £5 adults and £2 concessions, with entry permitted via turnstiles 8-10.