Seven young Rhinos named in Yorkshire Academy squad

Wigan Warriors have the biggest representation in the 2026 Academy Origin series with a dozen players spread across the Yorkshire and Lancashire sides.

The two-game series, pitching some of the sport's best young talent against each other, starts with the opener at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington on the weekend of Saturday 19/Sunday 20 September.

A second fixture then completes the annual affair at Castleford Tigers' OneBore Stadium on Saturday 26 September (kick-off 1pm).

All but one of Wigan's bumper contingent - wing/centre Jovi Bentley-Elliott – are named in the Lancashire squad today.

Warrington Wolves are also well-served with 11 picks across the two outfits: Oliver Bishop, Leyton Hadrell, Edward Williams, Jack Pendlebury, Jamie Coop, Cameron Cooper and Alfie Poles are in the Red Rose set-up - which is coached by Wigan's Shane Eccles - with Brady Bottomley, Isaac Holdsworth, Bailey Lund and Tommy Rhodes representing their rivals.

Castleford's Rob Nickolay is head coach for the Yorkshire squad who have seven Leeds Rhinos players in their 24-strong ranks: Seth Marchant, Thomas Richardson, Zak Lloyd – who recently made his Super League debut - Robin Smith, Alfie Steel, Jacob Tooala and Sonny Hetherington.

St Helens have a sextet involved with Jack Campbell, Tyler McGann, Tyler Mills, James Paterson and Oscar Knox (all Lancashire) plus Chris Matagi, the loose forward and son of ex-Castleford and New Zealand prop Sui, who features with Yorkshire and made his Super League bow in July.

Wakefield Trinity have three inclusions for Yorkshire– Corey Abraham, Robbie Brook and Zack Clegg – while Hull KR see Alex Gorman and Theo Middlemass make the cut.

Hull FC have two players, Caleb Paleaaesina - son of legendary ex-Wigan and Hull prop Feka – and Finn Davies, Castleford have likewise in the shape of Sean Coughlan and Max Grinhaff while Huddersfield Giants also have a brace of representatives in Jude Jackson and Lewis Jagger.

Head of England Pathways  (Male) Paul Anderson said: "We're delighted to get this group of young men together for the two-match Origin series.

"There's some very talented players at our disposal across the competition and there's been some tough choices to make with some excellent players missing out.

"Those that have been selected will now get chance to step up to the next level.

"The Academy Origin has consistently proved to be a crucial building block for many with the likes of England international Junior Nsemba and fellow current Super League players Harry Robertson, Logan Moy, Pressley Cassell, George Whitby and Noah Hodkinson all coming through this pathway."

Castleford's Tom Schofield, Wakefield's Alex Bileby and Huddersfield Giants' Leroy Cudjoe will all work as Nickolay's assistants.

Lancashire have a trio of player mentors assisting Eccles - St Helens' Gary Wheeler, Warrington's Dan Hill and Wigan's Matty Smith – while both squads will prepare for the games at Leeds Beckett University.

Yorkshire:  Jacob Tooala, Thomas Richardson, Seth Marchant, Alfie Steel, Zak Lloyd, Robin Smith, Sonny Hetherington (all Leeds Rhinos), Isaac Holdsworth, Brady Bottomley, Bailey Lund, Tommy Rhodes (all Warrington Wolves), Alex Gorman, Theo Middlemass (both Hull KR), Fin Davies, Caleb Paleaaesina (both Hull FC), Lewis Jagger, Jude Jackson (both Huddersfield Giants), Sean Coughlan, Max Grinhaff (both Castleford Tigers), Corey Abraham, Robbie Brook, Zach Clegg (both Wakefield Trinity), Jovi Bentley-Elliott (Wigan Warriors), Chris Matagi (St Helens).

Lancashire: Sam Dickenson, Shea O’Connor, Lucas Featherston, Victor Omedele, Tom Farrimond, Lewis Daniels, Evan Buckley, Harrison Pearson, Zak Bielicki, Mathew Halton, Charlie Jeffrey-Stott (all Wigan Warriors), Oliver Bishop, Leyton Hadrell, Edward Williams, Jack Pendlebury, Jamie Coop, Cameron Cooper, Alfie Poles (all Warrington Wolves), Jack Campbell, Tyler McGann, Tyler Mills, James Paterson, Oscar Knox, Toby Bottell (all St Helens).