How Lancashire could line up amid Roses return talks with two Leeds Rhinos men featuring

After England head coach Shaun Wane stated that he would be willing to see the return of the War of the Roses between Lancashire and Yorkshire, we’ve picked out the sort of squad that the Red Rose could field including two Leeds Rhinos men.

Wane made his admission when speaking on the topic of Roses returning and possibly being used to fill the current international break. In recent years, that mid-season break has seen England play France with games against a Combined All Nations teams also occurring in the past five years.

Replacing those concepts with a return to the War of the Roses is an idea that is popular among fans and would pit the old foes of Lancashire and Yorkshire together once again.

The last time that the two counties played each other was in 2003 and currently across the 91 meetings, the scores are tied 44-44 with three draws in there. The only games played during the Super League era came between 2001 and 2003 with Lancashire winning three of them, although Yorkshire won the last.

If Lancashire were to attempt to avenge that loss in 2025, what could their team look like?

How a Lancashire ‘Roses’ team would look with two Leeds Rhinos men involved

Full-Back – Jack Welsby (St Helens)

It’s fair to say that if you’re the England full-back then you walk into a County team, much as how the Australian full-back has been a mainstay in the State of Origin series in recent years. Welsby would be the obvious choice.

Wingers – Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors) and Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)

Rinse and repeat the above. Marshall and Ashton played the second and final England Test against Samoa and they’d be the standout options for a Lancashire team although they’d have Josh Charnley and Tom Davies on call for any injuries.

Centres – Mark Percival (St Helens) and Oliver Gildart (Hull KR)

Centres are where it gets more difficult but Mark Percival and Oliver Gildart are still two star players. Percival would be a kicking option in the team with this pair getting in ahead of players such as up-and-coming Zach Eckersley.

Halves – George Williams (Warrington Wolves) and Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)

This duo proved exactly why Shaun Wane selected them during the series against Samoa with Smith’s controlled kicking game complementing Williams’ running style perfectly. Smith also showed what he can do with ball in hand with his superb cut-out pass for Matty Ashton on Saturday.

Hooker – Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)

He made his Super League Dream Team debut this year and Walker thoroughly earned it. The former Widnes man flourished in his first season without Daryl Powell and he’d marshall this team around the field.

Prop – Luke Thompson (St Helens) and Matty Lees (St Helens)

Shaun Wane was clear on the fact that Luke Thompson would have started the first game against Samoa if not for his ban and he showed why in the second Test. His return to Super League has been a massive boost and he’d work brilliantly alongside the equally industrious Matty Lees.

Second-Row – Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors) and James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)

The second Yorkshire-based player in this team and it’s Leeds Rhinos’ James McDonnell who earned his England call-up in the mid-season break that Roses threatens to replace. McDonnell is Wigan born-and-bred though and he’d be paired with Wigan’s newest darling, Junior Nsemba.

Loose Forward – Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)

With Morgan Knowles a Cumbrian at heart, the shout at loose forward goes to Ben Currie who played there for the majority of the 2024 campaign for Warrington. He offers the ability to step into the second-row as well.

Bench – Andy Ackers (Leeds Rhinos), Oliver Partington (Catalans Dragons), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors) and Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors)

Andy Ackers is the second Leeds Rhinos man on the team with the hooker backing up Danny Walker on a bench combining Wigan’s youth and experience in Ethan Havard and Liam Farrell, alongside Oliver Partington who can spell on with Currie at lock.