| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| First meeting | 1895 |
| Latest meeting | 2003 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 91 |
| All-time series | Tied, 44-44-3 |
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 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 play.
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. [1]
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. [2]
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. [3] [4] After three years, the Origin series games were discontinued due to a failure to attract high match attendances. [5]
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. [6]
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.
| Matches played as part of the County Championship | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Date | Venue | Home team | Score | Away team |
| 1895–1896 | 7 December 1895 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 0–8 | Yorkshire |
| 1895–1896 | 29 February 1896 | Fartown, Huddersfield | Yorkshire | 3–8 | Lancashire |
| 1896–1897 | 21 November 1896 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 7–3 | Yorkshire |
| 1897–1898 | 20 November 1897 | Park Avenue, Bradford | Yorkshire | 7–6 | Lancashire |
| 1898–1899 | 5 November 1898 | New Barnes, Salford | Lancashire | 9–20 | Yorkshire |
| 1899–1900 | 4 November 1899 | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Yorkshire | 13–16 | Lancashire |
| 1900–1901 | 3 November 1900 | The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale | Lancashire | 24–5 | Yorkshire |
| 1901–1902 | 15 February 1902 | The Boulevard, Hull | Yorkshire | 13–8 | Lancashire |
| 1902–1903 | 15 November 1902 | The Willows, Salford | Lancashire | 13–0 | Yorkshire |
| 1903–1904 | 14 November 1903 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 0–8 | Lancashire |
| 1904–1905 | 12 November 1904 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 5–14 | Yorkshire |
| 1905–1906 | 4 November 1905 | The Boulevard, Hull | Yorkshire | 0–8 | Lancashire |
| 1906–1907 | 3 November 1906 | The Willows, Salford | Lancashire | 19–0 | Yorkshire |
| 1907–1908 | 2 November 1907 | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Yorkshire | 15–11 | Lancashire |
| 1908–1909 | 31 October 1908 | The Willows, Salford | Lancashire | 13–0 | Yorkshire |
| 1909–1910 | 4 November 1909 | The Boulevard, Hull | Yorkshire | 27–14 | Lancashire |
| 1910–1911 | 7 November 1910 | Central Park, Wigan | Lancashire | 17–3 | Yorkshire |
| 1911–1912 | 25 January 1912 | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Yorkshire | 12–13 | Lancashire |
| 1912–1913 | 16 December 1912 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 8–20 | Yorkshire |
| 1913–1914 | 10 December 1913 | Fartown, Huddersfield | Yorkshire | 19–11 | Lancashire |
| 1919–1920 | 24 September 1919 | The Cliff, Broughton | Lancashire | 15–5 | Yorkshire |
| 1920–1921 | 21 October 1920 | The Boulevard, Hull | Yorkshire | 18–3 | Lancashire |
| 1921–1922 | 4 October 1921 | The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale | Lancashire | 2–5 | Yorkshire |
| 1922–1923 | 7 December 1922 | Craven Park, Hull | Yorkshire | 11–11 | Lancashire |
| 1923–1924 | 8 December 1923 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 6–5 | Yorkshire |
| 1924–1925 | 29 November 1924 | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Yorkshire | 9–28 | Lancashire |
| 1925–1926 | 12 December 1925 | City Road, St Helens | Lancashire | 26–10 | Yorkshire |
| 1926–1927 | 30 October 1926 | Belle Vue, Wakefield | Yorkshire | 13–18 | Lancashire |
| 1927–1928 | 29 October 1927 | Wilderspool, Warrington | Lancashire | 35–19 | Yorkshire |
| 1928–1929 | 3 November 1928 | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Yorkshire | 10–33 | Lancashire |
| 1929–1930 | 22 March 1930 | The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale | Lancashire | 18–3 | Yorkshire |
| 1930–1931 | 18 October 1930 | Belle Vue, Wakefield | Yorkshire | 25–15 | Lancashire |
| 1931–1932 | 17 October 1931 | Wilderspool, Warrington | Lancashire | 11–8 | Yorkshire |
| 1932–1933 | 29 October 1932 | Belle Vue, Wakefield | Yorkshire | 30–3 | Lancashire |
| 1933–1934 | 25 September 1933 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 12–15 | Yorkshire |
| 1934–1935 | 9 January 1935 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 5–5 | Lancashire |
| 1935–1936 | 12 October 1935 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 16–5 | Yorkshire |
| 1936–1937 | 21 October 1936 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 6–28 | Lancashire |
| 1937–1938 | 12 February 1938 | The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale | Lancashire | 10–9 | Yorkshire |
| 1938–1939 | 26 October 1938 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 10–10 | Lancashire |
| 1945–1946 | 10 November 1945 | Station Road, Swinton | Lancashire | 17–16 | Yorkshire |
| 1946–1947 | 9 November 1946 | Parkside, Hunslet | Yorkshire | 13–10 | Lancashire |
| 1947–1948 | 12 November 1947 | Central Park, Wigan | Lancashire | 22–10 | Yorkshire |
| 1948–1949 | 3 May 1949 | Thrum Hall, Halifax | Yorkshire | 3–12 | Lancashire |
| 1949–1950 | 5 October 1949 | Wilderspool, Warrington | Lancashire | 22–13 | Yorkshire |
| 1950–1951 | 18 October 1950 | Fartown, Huddersfield | Yorkshire | 23–15 | Lancashire |
| 1951–1952 | 10 October 1951 | Kirkhall Lane, Leigh | Lancashire | 5–15 | Yorkshire |
| 1952–1953 | 28 April 1953 | The Boulevard, Hull | Yorkshire | 16–8 | Lancashire |
| 1953–1954 | 14 October 1953 | Hilton Park, Leigh | Lancashire | 18–10 | Yorkshire |
| 1954–1955 | 6 October 1954 | Odsal, Bradford | Yorkshire | 20–10 | Lancashire |
| 1955–1956 | 26 September 1955 | Watersheddings, Oldham | Lancashire | 26–10 | Yorkshire |
| 1956–1957 | 26 September 1956 | The Boulevard, Hull | Yorkshire | 21–35 | Lancashire |
| 1957–1958 | 23 September 1957 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 11–25 | Yorkshire |
| 1958–1959 | 24 September 1958 | Craven Park, Hull | Yorkshire | 35–19 | Lancashire |
| 1958–1959 | 29 October 1958 | Hilton Park, Leigh | Lancashire | 15–16 | Yorkshire |
| 1959–1960 | 11 November 1959 | Hilton Park, Leigh | Lancashire | 28–38 | Yorkshire |
| 1960–1961 | 31 August 1960 | Belle Vue, Wakefield | Yorkshire | 20–21 | Lancashire |
| 1961–1962 | 9 October 1961 | Hilton Park, Leigh | Lancashire | 14–12 | Yorkshire |
| 1962–1963 | 26 September 1962 | Belle Vue, Wakefield | Yorkshire | 22–8 | Lancashire |
| 1963–1964 | 11 September 1963 | Knowsley Road, St Helens | Lancashire | 45–20 | Yorkshire |
| 1964–1965 | 23 September 1964 | The Boulevard, hull | Yorkshire | 33–10 | Lancashire |
| 1965–1966 | 10 November 1965 | Station Road, Swinton | Lancashire | 13–16 | Yorkshire |
| 1966–1967 | 21 September 1966 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 17–22 | Lancashire |
| 1967–1968 | 24 January 1968 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 23–17 | Yorkshire |
| 1968–1969 | 25 September 1968 | Craven Park, Hull | Yorkshire | 10–5 | Lancashire |
| 1969–1970 | 3 September 1969 | The Willows, Salford | Lancashire | 14–12 | Yorkshire |
| 1970–1971 | 13 January 1971 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 32–12 | Lancashire |
| 1970–1971 | 24 February 1971 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 34–8 | Lancashire |
| 1971–1972 | 29 September 1971 | Hilton Park, Leigh | Lancashire | 22–42 | Yorkshire |
| 1972–1973 | 11 October 1972 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 32–18 | Lancashire |
| 1973–1974 | 19 September 1973 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 17–15 | Yorkshire |
| 1974–1975 | 25 September 1974 | Lawkholme Lane, Keighley | Yorkshire | 20–14 | Lancashire |
| 1974–1975 | 16 October 1974 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 29–11 | Yorkshire |
| 1975–1976 | 20 December 1975 | Central Park, Wigan | Lancashire | 7–17 | Yorkshire |
| 1976–1977 | 1 March 1977 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 18–13 | Lancashire |
| 1977–1978 [b] | 19 October 1977 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 33–8 | Yorkshire |
| 1978–1979 | 27 September 1978 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 23–7 | Yorkshire |
| 1979–1980 | 12 September 1979 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 19–16 | Lancashire |
| 1980–1981 | 24 September 1980 | Naughton Park, Widnes | Lancashire | 17–9 | Yorkshire |
| 1981–1982 | 9 September 1981 | Wheldon Road, Castleford | Yorkshire | 21–15 | Lancashire |
| 1982–1983 | 26 May 1982 | Hilton Park, Leigh | Lancashire | 21–22 | Yorkshire |
| Source [7] | |||||
| Match played as "Rodstock War of the Roses" | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Date | Venue | Home team | Score | Away team |
| 1985–1986 | 11 September 1985 | Central Park, Wigan | Lancashire | 10–26 | Yorkshire |
| 1986–1987 | 17 September 1986 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 26–14 | Lancashire |
| 1987–1988 | 16 September 1987 | Central Park, Wigan | Lancashire | 10–16 | Yorkshire |
| 1988–1989 | 21 September 1988 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 24–14 | Lancashire |
| 1989–1990 | 20 September 1989 | Central Park, Wigan | Lancashire | 12–56 | Yorkshire |
| 1991–1992 | 18 September 1991 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 17–12 | Lancashire |
| Source [7] | |||||
| Match played as the "County of Origin Series" | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Date | Venue | Home team | Score | Away team |
| 2001 | 5 June 2001 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 24–36 | Lancashire |
| 2002 | 14 June 2002 | JJB Stadium, Wigan | Lancashire | 22–18 | Yorkshire |
| 2002 | 18 June 2002 | Headingley, Leeds | Yorkshire | 28–36 | Lancashire |
| 2003 | 2 July 2003 | Odsal, Bradford | Yorkshire | 56–6 | Lancashire |
| Source [7] | |||||
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| First meeting | 2014 |
| Latest meeting | 2024 |
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. [8] [9] 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. [9]
| Season | Venue | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Wigan St Jude's, Wigan | Lancashire | 22–0 [10] | Yorkshire |
| 2015 | St. Helens | Lancashire | 22–22 [9] | Yorkshire |
| 2016 | Stanningley | Yorkshire | 16–22 [11] | Lancashire |
| 2018 | Post Office Road, Featherstone | Yorkshire | 10–16 [12] | Lancashire |
| 2019 | Bloomfield Road, Blackpool | Lancashire | 8–14 [13] | Yorkshire |
| Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington | Lancashire | 20–27 [13] | Yorkshire | |
| Yorkshire win series 2–0 | ||||
| 2020 | Weetwood sports ground, Leeds | Yorkshire | 8–15 | Lancashire |
| Mount Pleasant, Batley | Yorkshire | 12–12 | Lancashire | |
| Weetwood sports ground, Leeds | Yorkshire | 0–23 | Lancashire | |
| Lancashire win series 2–0 [14] | ||||
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. [15] The same process was used for England's post-season friendly against Wales. [16]
| Date | Venue | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 June 2024 | Crown Flatt, Dewsbury [15] | Yorkshire | 12–20 | Lancashire |
| 19 October 2024 | Boundary Park, Oldham | Lancashire | 20–12 [17] | Yorkshire |
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