County foes lock horns with Twickenham date the incentive for victory

It’s the first of two mouthwatering clashes between these traditional rivals, who meet again at Hull Ionians a week later with the aggregate winner progressing to next month’s Twickenham final.

Fylde coach Alex Loney again takes charge of the Red Rose side, with 10 Woodlands players named in an extended squad of 30 for the two games.

They will be looking to make the most of ‘home’ advantage in Saturday’s opening clash.

“We’ve had a few sessions and will add some final touches in training this week,” Loney said.

“There’s a good feeling among the group, ready for two tough games.

“Some players have featured in these games before and for others in the wider squad, it’s a new experience, but we have confidence in all of them to express themselves and show what they can do.

“The local people have supported Lancashire well in the past and we’re hoping for another big crowd.”

Asked if the two-legged format alters his planning, Loney replied: “Not so much in terms of game one because you still want to start well with a win.

“The only way to be sure of getting to the final is to win the games and we have a team we believe can do that, while of course we respect the opposition.”

That Yorkshire squad includes nine from National One champions Rotherham Titans but Lancashire won’t be wanting for motivation.

Yorkshire have won three of the four Roses clashes since the Championship resumed post-pandemic and they left the Woodlands with a 36-22 victory last season.

Lancashire may boast a record 25 county titles over the past 90 years but they last triumphed in 2018.

They have contested only one Twickenham showpiece since – in 2023, when Kent enjoyed the first in a hat-trick of final victories.

“Yorkshire have beaten us in the last two years but we are proud of our history in this competition,” says Loney.

“Our record matches up to anyone’s but we know we have to do it twice this time.”

After Lancashire faced Somerset in the last two championships, this year’s double-header does spice up the northern rivalry – even if it also exposes a shortage of competing counties.

Loney added: “The three-team model was tough, particularly for Somerset because they were so far out of the area.

“It was a hell of a trek for them and for teams going down there.

“We do need more northern teams involved, like Cheshire, Durham and Northumberland, who we’ve played in the past.

“More counties really give the championship an edge but we’ll take what we’ve got this year.”

Admission is £10, though Fylde members have a 20 per cent discount, while it is free for under-16s.

Lancashire forwards: Ailes (Preston Grasshoppers), Birchall (Sale FC), Bowker (Fylde), Castle (PG), Corless (PG), Deans (Sedgley Park), Deeks (Edinburgh Uni), Ellan (SP), Garrod (Fylde), Kyle-Clay (PG), Poole (SP), Kasam-Sharples (Fylde), Vickers (Sale), B Walton (Fylde), M Walton (Fylde), Wilkinson (Rossendale).

Backs: Bradley (Sale), Browne (PG), Clayton (Fylde), J Dorrington (Fylde), Freeman (PG), Gilliland (Fylde), Johnson (Heath), Lanigan (Fylde), Rawlings (Leek), Russell (PG), Sturgess (SP), Turner (Fylde), Williams (PG).