Young Rhinos looking forward to representing white rose in 2025 Academy Origin

This Saturday sees the best Academy talent across Yorkshire and Lancashire clash in the first Academy Origin match of 2025 at Castleford's The Jungle.

In preparation for this year's two-game series, homegrown Leeds talents Joe Diskin, Marcus Qareqare, Daniel Stelfox, Presley Cassell, Zak Lloyd, Jacob Hardy, George Brown, Harry Smith, Joe Butterfield, Jacob Stead and Harley Thomas were all called up to Rob Nickolay's initial 21-man Yorkshire squad to represent their county, and later this week the group will find out who will pull on the white rose to take on the red rose of Lancashire.

Cassell got his first taste of representative rugby with England last year and spoke after the announcement of how proud he was to be selected alongside a large cohort from Chev Walker's side. "It was class to get the call up to be fair. We've started the season really well and I think it's just a reward for all the hard work that we've been putting in. Credit to all the lads that have made it, they've earned it and they'll go well. It's all good playing week in, week out for your clubs but it's an extra honour to be recognised and represent your county. 

"To get selected is the next step. I got selected last year for England but this is another one ticked off I guess, with Yorkshire. It's always tough going against the Lancashire teams.  They're always coming for us and it's been around for quite a few years now, decades. There's always been that rivalry there, and I think it's good to relive that at such a young age and to get it back in the game because I think we've missed it over these last few years.

"I know all the lads are buzzing and we can't wait to be part of it. I'm really looking forward to it - it's good to represent my county and do my family proud."

Hardy, who is in contention to play representative rugby for the first time in his junior career, also said how his fast start to the year has paid off by earning a call up. “It's a proud moment for me and my family. I'm looking forward to it.

"I'm enjoying my rugby at the moment and I'm really looking forward to playing in this Yorkshire team. Knowing a lot of the lads going into camp, I reckon it will help with settling in and playing together because obviously we know each other quite well, but it will also be good to get to know some other lads as well that we've not played with before. It's a big rivalry, Yorkshire vs Lancashire. I'm sure they'll [Lancashire] be up for it and it'll be a really good game. 

"Playing representative rugby also gives you the chance to hear from someone else and learn from different people. I'm just going to take it all in and hopefully develop off the back of it."

Fans unable to be at Castleford on Saturday can watch live coverage of the first Academy Origin match via the RFL’s YouTube channel. The second and final match in the series takes place on Saturday 2nd August at the home of Hull KR, Sewell Group Craven Park.