The squads have been named for the 7th Annual University Rugby League Origin Game which takes place on Saturday 4th February, 3pm Kick Off at the Olympic Legacy Park Stadium in Sheffield.
The North squad, drawn on players at university in Yorkshire, the North West and North East, take on the South, made up of players from South East, South West and Midlands, with all players showcasing themselves for a place in the final England Universities squad. And with 23 different universities represented from London to Lancaster and Northumbria to Exeter, the Origin once again shows the breadth of talent nationally across the University game.
The North will be seeking a seventh straight victory in the event, but know that they will not have it easy, especially having trailed 8-20 at half time in last year’s event. Joint head coaches Adam Houston and Alex Davidson have named a strong side, with Jordan Bull, Joe Riley, Leon Stewart and Adam Lavin all featuring with previous England Universities experience, complimented by plenty of new talent rising through the University game.
In the South, joint Head Coaches Mark Sloan and Ben Whincup also have previous England players to call on, with Jack Cherry, Michael Holden, Nathan Redmond, Charlie McCurrie and Delaine Bedward-Gittens all returning for selection alongside an equally experienced squad which also features England U19s European Rugby League Championships winner Noah Lancelot selected.
“I am very excited to see both line ups go head to head on Saturday” said Kevin Deighton, England Universities Head Coach. “I’ve attended a couple of the training sessions to see the attitudes that the players bring in those environment and seen the majority of them play at the inter-regionals event back in November. Each of the 40 players selected has an equal chance of selection and I look forward to seeing them do their best and earning the right to wear the national team jersey.”
Entry to the game is free with doors open from 2pm. Refreshments will be available.
A live stream of the game can be viewed at: University Rugby League Origin Game - YouTube and you can follow updates from the game live @EnglandUnisRL on Twitter and Instagram and via www.facebook.com/universityrl
North Squad:
Jordan Bull (Leeds Beckett)
Paul Chitakunye (Manchester Metropolitan)
Isaac Coleman (York)
Alfie Crawford (Leeds Beckett)
Luke Findlow (Manchester)
Sean Findlow (Liverpool John Moores)
Conner Gilbey (Hull)
Adam Lavin (Lancaster)
Matty Lynn (Edge Hill)
Jack Mallinson (Leeds Beckett)
Harry Medlicott (Leeds Beckett)
Ben O’Donnell (Liverpool John Moores)
Iwan Orr (Leeds Beckett)
Sufyaan Rafi (Huddersfield)
Joe Riley (Leeds)
Nathan Rushworth (Northumbria)
Callum Scott (Leeds Beckett)
Leon Stewart (Hull)
Jacob Turner (Edge Hill)
Daniel White (Northumbria)
South Squad:
Delaine Bedward-Gittens (Coventry)
Chris Ball (West London)
Alex Boag (Exeter)
Ed Brown (Bedfordshire)
Jack Cherry (Nottingham)
Ben Edwards (Loughborough)
Christian Gale (London South Bank)
Michael Holden (Gloucestershire)
Josh Knox (Loughborough)
Noah Lancelot (Keele)
Ben Littlewood (Nottingham Trent)
Charlie McCurrie (Leicester)
Isa Mohammed (Northampton)
Luke Phoenix (Loughborough)
Aaron Powell (Warwick)
Owen Priest (Loughborough)
Nathan Redmond (Loughborough)
Tommy Svanidze (Loughborough)
Henry Symons (Gloucestershire)
Tom Wilkins (Exeter)
Previous Origin Results:
2022: North 36 - 20 South
2021: North 26 - 4 South
2019: North 34 - 22 South
2018: North 34 - 16 South
2017: North 28 - 16 South
2016: North 44 - 28 South
