St.Helens have seven of our Academy players selected to feature in the Academy Origin series.
The two-game series pitches some of the sport’s best young talent against each other and starts with the opener at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, on the weekend of Saturday 19th / Sunday 20th September 2026.
A second fixture then completes the annual affair at Castleford Tigers’ OneBore Stadium on Saturday 26 September (kick-off 1pm).
St.Helens’ players involved are Jack Campbell, Tyler McGann, Tyler Mills, James Paterson and Oscar Knox (all Lancashire) plus Chris Matagi, the loose forward and son of ex-Castleford and New Zealand prop Suaia, who features with Yorkshire and made his Super League bow in July.
Head of England Pathways (Male) Paul Anderson said: “We’re delighted to get this group of young men together for the two-match Origin series.
“There’s some very talented players at our disposal across the competition and there’s been some tough choices to make with some excellent players missing out.
“Those that have been selected will now get chance to step up to the next level.
“The Academy Origin has consistently proved to be a crucial building block for many with the likes of England international Junior Nsemba and fellow current Super League players Harry Robertson, Logan Moy, Pressley Cassell, George Whitby and Noah Hodkinson all coming through this pathway.”
Saints Academy Coach Gary Wheeler will assist the Lancashire squad, while both squads will prepare for the games at Leeds Beckett University.
Lancashire
Sam Dickenson, Shea O’Connor, Lucas Featherston, Victor Omedele, Tom Farrimond, Lewis Daniels, Evan Buckley, Harrison Pearson, Zak Bielicki, Mathew Halton, Charlie Jeffrey-Stott (all Wigan Warriors), Oliver Bishop, Leyton Hadrell, Edward Williams, Jack Pendlebury, Jamie Coop, Cameron Cooper, Alfie Poles (all Warrington Wolves), Toby Bottell, Jack Campbell, Oscar Knox, Tyler McGann, Tyler Mills, James Paterson (all St.Helens)
Yorkshire
Jacob Tooala, Thomas Richardson, Seth Marchant, Alfie Steel, Zac Lloyd, Robin Smith, Sonny Hetherington (all Leeds Rhinos), Isaac Holdsworth, Brady Bottomley, Bailey Lund, Tommy Rhodes (all Warrington Wolves), Alex Gorman, Theo Middlemass (both Hull KR), Fin Davies, Caleb Paleaaesina (both Hull FC), Lewis Jagger, Jude Jackson (both Huddersfield Giants), Sean Coughlan, Max Grinhaff (both Castleford Tigers), Corey Abraham, Robbie Brook, Zach Clegg (both Wakefield Trinity), Jovi Bentley-Elliott (Wigan Warriors), Chris Matagi (St Helens)
The squads have been named for the 2026 Academy Origin 🙌
The two-game series will start with an opener at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington on the weekend of 19/20 September 🏉 pic.twitter.com/iOzKGBtyab
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) August 18, 2026
