Is this what a Yorkshire Origin team would look like in 2021?

With the State of Origin getting underway in Australia, the debate about whether the UK should bring back Yorkshire versus Lancashire continues to rear its head.

This selection is based off of the current squad numbers of players for the 2021 season and is purely hypothetical given there are no plans to initiate an Origin Series any time soon.

Could this be the best team Yorkshire can create to face a Lancashire XVII?

1. Jake Connor- Hull FC

One of the most controversial players in Super League right now, Jake Connor has never let the fog cloud his amazing skill and playing ability. He proves himself week after week and would be at the top of the list as fullback. 

2. Tom Johnstone – Wakefield Trinity

If you’re looking for the perfect attacking winger then look no further than Wakefield’s Tom Johnstone. Despite concussion injuries plaguing his 2021 season so far, there is no doubt that when he takes to the field, Trinity are a more dangerous outfit. Yorkshire would certainly benefit with him in the side.

3. Zak Hardaker- Wigan Warriors

Zak Hardaker is not only one of the best players at the Warriors but one of the best players in the league. Anyone who has followed Zak’s career knows he his a get-on-with-it type centre who plays with huge conviction, though that can sometimes spill over into frustration.

4. Reece Lyne – Wakefield Trinity

He’s improved no end since joining Wakefield and Reece Lyne would be a great asset for Yorkshire. With a great eye for a defensive hit and the ability to bamboozle defenders, the centre would almost certainly be in the reckoning.

5. Ash Handley- Leeds Rhinos

Super League’s leading try scorer last year, Ash Handley is never happier than when he is running for the line. It is a safe bet that he would also be the leading try scorer in an Origin Series too. Despite suffering from injury at present, the winger is expected to return in the near future, making him a shoo-in for this spot.

6. Jake Truman- Castleford Tigers

A consistent and vital player for the Castleford Tigers, Truman has proven himself to be one of the stand-out players for the club. With his captain Michael Shenton saying that he is Castleford’s best player, he is an easy choice for a Yorkshire XVII. 

7. Luke Gale (C)- Leeds Rhinos

Last season was arguably Luke Gale’s best ever. Captaining the Rhinos to Challenge Cup success, as well as his on-field game management, solidified him as one of the best scrum-halves in the league. Deadly accurate with drop goals, a close game is never over until Luke Gale says it is. 

8. Alex Walmsley – St Helens

Achieving talismanic status at the Saints, Dewsbury born Alex Walmsley is as consistent and as hard working as any player in Super League history. He is powerful, leads from the front and is a sure selection for a Yorkshire Origin team. If a player can play in a Grand Final practically on one leg, what more proof does there need to be to prove that he is a dedicated team player? It would be a huge mistake if his name was not in contention.

9. Paul McShane – Castleford Tigers

No proposed Yorkshire team would be complete without this man. Paul McShane was seemingly built to efficiently tackle anyone! There is no surprise he is the leading tackler in most of the games he plays in, but he is also a fantastic field tactician with an impressive running and kicking game. An obvious choice for hooker. 

10. Liam Watts – Castleford Tigers

One of the best offloaders in the game at present, Liam Watts would walk into the front row of a Yorkshire side. With a no-nonsense approach going forward and the mobility of a back, Watts is perhaps the most impressive all-round forwards in Super League.

11. Oliver Holmes- Castleford Tigers

Another Castleford legend and England international, Oliver Holmes has become a well-respected player on both sides of the Pennines. His performances, particularly within the last few seasons, have certainly raised his profile and Holmes would fit in well within this team. 

12. Joe Wardle- Huddersfield Giants

With a 93% tackle success for the Giants last season, Wardle is the ideal partner for McShane in the middle. The two together would provide a great challenge for Lancashire. 

13. John Bateman- Wigan Warriors

Returning from a nothing short of triumphant NRL run with the ‘Green Machine’ in Canberra, John Bateman would be a huge boost to this team. It takes a lot for an Englishman to make as big of an impact as he did Down Under, and this would be reflected superbly within a Yorkshire XVII. 

Substitutes

14. Matty English- Huddersfield Giants

Another big tackler from the Huddersfield pack, Matty English would no doubt show what he is capable of in an Origin series. As a great carrier of the ball, English would definitely do himself justice if he were to secure selection. 

15. Liam Sutcliffe- Leeds Rhinos

A player who is really coming into his own after a couple of unsteady seasons at Leeds. Last year, Sutcliffe voiced his concerns over remaining with the Rhinos and put in a transfer request. After much discussion with the club, things changed for him and he is now playing the best rugby of his life. 

16. Jordan Lane- Hull FC

Making a huge impression in yet another season with the Black & Whites, Jordan Lane has come to the attention of many within Super League. He is a young player, but he already has a great mentality for the game as his performances show. Definitely one to watch for the future and a good choice for Yorkshire. 

17. Cameron Smith- Leeds Rhinos

A young player with a lot of potential, Cameron Smith has a bright future. He is a hard worker on the field and does what he needs to do to get the job done. This would be a great opportunity for him to play the game at a higher than club level.