Origin Series

The War of the Roses (also known in its later years as the County of Origin Series) was the annual inter-county rugby league match between the historic counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The fixture began in 1895 as part of the County Championship until 1983 and continued as a stand-alone fixture until 2003 when the game was last played.

The match achieved prominence because the two counties are considered the 'heartland' of rugby league in Europe and are therefore traditionally the two strongest teams. Furthermore, the neighbours share a historic rivalry originating in the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487) from which the series takes its name.

History

Lancashire and Yorkshire first began contesting rugby league fixture in 1895 – the year of the sport's creation. The games were played as part of the United Kingdom's Inter-County Championship, a competition played every year with exceptions for the two world wars (1914–1918 and 1939–1945) and 1977–1978, until the competition was abandoned in 1983. During this time, the fixture became known as the "War of the Roses". Eligibility to play was established either by county of birth or in which county players had originally played the sport professionally.

The Lancashire vs Yorkshire fixture was often the most popular and highest attended, reflecting the sport's higher popularity in these two counties. As a result, the fixture returned to the British rugby league calendar as a stand-alone match in 1985 and was sponsored by Rodstock. The series lasted until 1991, when it was scrapped due to lack of interest.

In 2001, the fixture was revived under the name of the "County of Origin" series, inspired by the success of Australia's State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. After three years, the Origin series games were discontinued due to a failure to attract high match attendances.

The War of the Roses fixture was proposed for a return for a mid-season clash in 2025. The clubs decided not to go ahead with a fixture in 2025 but would consider re-introducing the fixture in 2026.

Results

The two teams have met in 91 competitive matches with each team having won 44 and three games ending in draws. In addition there have been a number of exhibition matches during the First and Second World Wars when the County Championship was suspended.

Women's Roses

Foundations

In 2014, a pilot County Origin game between Lancashire Ladies and Yorkshire Ladies was held in Wigan. The trophy was won by Lancashire. The following year, the RFL announced that the 2015 County Origin Series would take place at Thatto Heath Crusaders, St. Helens, with the competition being played as an annual fixture until 2020 with the exception of 2017.

The 2015 game saw the sides share the honours after a 22–22 draw, with an attendance of around 500. The match, held on 18 October 2015, followed a Lancashire Girls vs Yorkshire Girls under 18s match, which finished 34–0 in favour of the Yorkshire side.

Results

England selection

The series ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Origin fixture returned in 2024 ahead of England's mid-season friendly again France. England head coach, Stuart Barlow, selected Lancashire and Yorkshire squads and ran regional training sessions with each culminating in the Origin fixture a week before the England fixture. Match day performances in Origin, and performances in regional training were used to selected the national squad going into the final of England training. The same process was used for England's post-season friendly against Wales.

Results

See also

* International Origin
* Roses Match - The equivalent match in country cricket.
* Leeds United F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry - Sometimes known as the roses rivalry for the same reason.

Notes

References

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Rugby league competitions in the United Kingdom
Rugby league in Yorkshire
Rugby league in Lancashire
Roses rivalry