NINE Warrington Wolves youngsters have been chosen for the second game of the Academy Origin series.

Scrum-half Leon Hayes, who captained Lancashire to a 56-34 win in the series opener in Widnes last month, is joined in the Red Rose squad by Wire teammates Jamie Reddecliff, Jack Darbyshire, Aiden Doolan, Ben Hartill, Jake Thewlis and Nolan Tupea.

Across the field in the Yorkshire squad will be teammates Lucas Green and Adam Holroyd.

Overall, it means just under a quarter of the players selected across both squads are current members of the Warrington youth system, meaning The Wire are the most represented club among the players named.

Tyrone McCarthy – head coach of The Wire’s scholarship side – and conditioner Liam Myler will also form part of the Lancashire backroom team under head coach Shane Eccles.

The game takes place at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday, June 26, kick off 5pm.

“Game one was a high-scoring affair, but there were periods of real intensity – especially at the beginning,” England’s Head of Pathways Paul Anderson said.

“The challenge for these players is to maintain that intensity throughout. 

“I’ve had one-to-one reviews with every player who took the field at Widnes. There were positives in every individual performance, but players are accountable for themselves for the full 80 minutes.

“As part of their development, all players need to show that they have what it takes to perform at this level and understand what it takes to be an England player. 

“I’ve also made some changes this time, which means opportunities for other players to come in and show what they can do.

“As the series progresses we’ll see more cohesion and connectivity on the pitch, and a greater sense of togetherness off it thanks to residential camps in Warrington and Leeds.

“It’s important that our best players are exposed to the camp environment they might experience at senior level and can better understand the demands and expectations involved. 

“Plus, all training sessions ahead of each Origin match will be held at Leeds Beckett University – a world class campus which reflects the ambitions of our development programme.”