The squads have been named for the second of this year’s three-match Academy Origin series with Knights’ teenage back-rower Toby Warren included for Yorkshire!
Yorkshire, coached by Leeds Rhinos’ Academy coach Chev Walker, will be looking to hit back in the series after losing game one 56-34 last month on Sunday 26th June at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.
Warren, a footballer until his mid-teens, was something of a latecomer to the sport and, after starting his rugby league journey at New Earswick All Blacks, came to the Knights’ attention when he joined our Excel Player Development Programme during his time with Heworth.
After agreeing community dual-registration terms ahead of the 2021 season, Warren signed a contract with the Knights that will keep him at York until the end of the 2023 season. This year has seen him feature in our men’s team as well as on loan at Leeds Rhinos, featuring in their academy side.
His form for both, along with his potential, have led to him being included in the Yorkshire Academy squad alongside players from the much-heralded academies of Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls and Hull FC.
On the series, Head of England Pathways Paul Anderson said: “Game one was a high-scoring affair, but there were periods of real intensity – especially at the beginning. The challenge for these players is to maintain that intensity throughout.
“I’ve had one-to-one reviews with every player who took the field at Widnes. There were positives in every individual performance, but players are accountable for themselves for the full 80 minutes. As part of their development, all players need to show that they have what it takes to perform at this level and understand what it takes to be an England player.
“I’ve also made some changes this time, which means opportunities for other players to come in and show what they can do. As the series progresses we’ll see more cohesion and connectivity on the pitch, and a greater sense of togetherness off it thanks to residential camps in Warrington and Leeds. It’s important that our best players are exposed to the camp environment they might experience at senior level and can better understand the demands and expectations involved.
“Plus, all training sessions ahead of each Origin match will be held at Leeds Beckett University – a world-class campus which reflects the ambitions of our development programme.”
Lancashire 21 player squad Ellis Archer, McKenzie Buckley (both St Helens), Jack Darbyshire (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney, Kalan Devine (both St Helens), Aiden Doolan (Warrington Wolves), Jacob Douglas, Zach Eckersley (both Wigan Warriors), Ben Hartill, Leon Hayes (both Warrington Wolves), Sam Haynes (St Helens), Harvie Hill (Wigan Warriors), Ben Lane (St Helens), Richards Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Jamie Reddecliff (Warrington Wolves), Jack Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos), Jake Thewlis, Nolan Tupea (both Warrington Wolves), Jon Vaughan, Leunbou Bardyell Wells (both St Helens), Max Wood (Wigan Warriors)
Yorkshire 21 player squad Kai Armstrong (Hull FC), Bailey Arnold (Bradford Bulls), Denive Balmforth (Hull FC), Connor Barley (Hull Kingston Rovers), Alfie Edgell (Leeds Rhinos), George Flanagan Jnr (Bradford Bulls), Harrison Gilmore (Leeds Rhinos), Lucas Green (Warrington Wolves), Jake Higgins (Leeds Rhinos), Ellis Hobson (Wigan Warriors), Adam Holroyd (Warrington Wolves), Joseph Kellett (Bradford Bulls), Matt Laidlaw (Hull FC), Myles Lawford (Bradford Bulls), Riley Lumb (Leeds Rhinos), Lewis Martin, Sullivan Medford, Charlie Severs, Nick Staveley, Manoa Wacokecoke (all Hull FC), Toby Warren (York City Knights)
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