North v West to kick off this year’s WRL senior Origin series

September 16, 2022
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The WRL Men’s Origin Series is back after a three-year break, with North Wales hosting West Wales at The Pavilion ground at Bangor University this Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

Entry is free, but if you can’t be there, please click here to follow the live score feed.

Origin matches are a big part of Wales Rugby League, who host matches at junior and senior levels. This year, the senior competition will also act as trials for the Wales Dragonhearts side, who are also set to return after three years away.

It’s the third time that this competition has been a three-way tournament and in the past two, the table has been the same each time – East finishing top, North second and West third.

However North have the advantage over West in this fixture, winning both games between the sides.

East Wales will be aiming for their sixth Origin title and West their fourth, but North will be determined to win the tournament for the first time. Their coach Simon Reynolds said: “I’m like a kid at Christmas. The games before our break were tough ones but allowed me to have a look at all of the players.

“Since then the North Wales community league has taken centre stage and rightly so, dishing up some entertaining rugby.

“The last couple of weeks in training have been really good. It has allowed us to fine-tune some things and I’m really looking forward to seeing all come to fruition on Saturday.”

WRL General Manager Mark Jones said: “After two seasons without senior community representative Rugby League due to the pandemic, it gives me great pleasure to launch the WRL Origin Men’s Series with our first fixture – North vs West Wales.

“Complementing a strong community season both in South & North Wales, we are looking forward to a hard-fought Tri Nations Series.

“All the players will be out to impress the Wales Dragonhearts staff Simon Reynolds (Head Coach), Rob Davies and Dean Scully to make the squad for the International against England Community Lions on November 12th.”

Next Sunday 25th September, West Wales will host East Wales before East host North a week later. Please keep up to date with venue announcements at http://rugbyleague.cymru/senior-origin

 

West v East senior men’s Origin was first held in 2004-05 where future and past Wales internationals Hywel Davies, Neil Davies, Richard Johnston, Nathan Strong and Lenny Woodard were all in action for West and Damien Hudd for East. West took the first game 39-26 with East getting their revenge a year later, winning 14-12. Both of these matches were at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

The concept was revived as a one-off in 2012 with West winning 52-16 in Porthcawl. Another gap followed before West won 22-16 at Kenfig Hill. In 2016, it became a two-game series with East winning 38-24 at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli and then 36-18 in Cyncoed, Cardiff. In 2017, it was a one-off again with East winning 66-18 at Glamorgan Wanderers.

Community RL, North Wales