SOUTH Cumbria's up-and-coming rugby league players are preparing to face their rivals from up the coast when they take on West Cumbria in the Origin clash.

Under-14s and under-16s sides from both areas will face each other at Roose Pioneers on Sunday (noon and 1pm kick-offs respectively).

The South teams are made up of some of the brightest talents from Askam, Barrow Island, Dalton, Ulverston, Hindpool Tigers, Millom and Walney Central, and the matches promise to be keenly fought.

“The annual fixture has proved popular over the last few years, with some entertaining clashes,” said South Cumbria coach Neil Moore, who is responsible for the team along with Simon Woodend, Chris Burgess and John Johnson.

“This gives the top players in the area a chance to get together and show off their skills against high class opposition from up the coast, with each side playing for the bragging rights and the spoils for top spot, but most of all the honour to represent their local town side.

“With Barrow Raiders doing well this season, hopefully some of these lads could develop into stars of the future.”

Here, Moore profiles the members of this year's South Cumbria teams.

UNDER-14

LUKE THOMPSON (Askam, full-back/wing): “He is a young lad who is learning the game well.”

PAUL GIBSON (Barrow Island, wing/centre): “He is improving with every game at his club.”

RYAN HIGGINS (Barrow Island, utility back): “He has great feet, acceleration and is very elusive with the ball in hand.”

JACK STEPHENS (Dalton, utility back): “He is a good, aggressive player and excellent kicker. He can play in most positions around the park.”

NATHAN FORETY (Walney Central, utility back): “He is a great lad with deceptive pace and power.”

JOE LANCASTER (Dalton, utility back): “He could almost play anywhere on the park, with size, strength and pace.”

MAX ANDERSON-MOORE (Barrow Island, half-back): “He has great game awareness and vision, with skill to match. He can create chances all over the field.”

KHIAN MURT (Barrow Island, half-back): “He is a great pivot and plays above his weight with his no-nonsense tackling.”

OWEN BRIDLE (Askam, hooker): “He is a great player in the hooker role. He has good vision and knowledge, and always makes the correct decision when up against it.”

RYAN BARRASS (Barrow Island, half-back/hooker): “He is a solid and dependable lad who can play in any of the pivotal roles.”

KAEYLB WOODEND (Barrow Island, forward): “He is the first lad there to take a hit-up. He's big and strong, with a great engine.”

ANTONI KUDELSKI (Barrow Island, forward): “He's fast, strong and aggressive with a great attitude – a coach's dream.”

EVAN JONES (Dalton, forward): “He has a fantastic attitude with a great engine, keeps coming after being hit and has no fear.”

ASTIN MOSSOP (Millom, forward): “He's an aggressive player with strength and pace – a typical Mossop!”

MORGAN BURGESS (Barrow Island, forward): “A great line runner with pace and size, and a game-changer on his day.”

FENTON POSSELTHWAITE (Barrow Island, forward): “He tackles anything with legs. A strong runner who just keeps coming.”

RHYS BARTLETT (Dalton, prop/second row): “He is a solid runner who will run all day.”

UNDER-16s

JOSH VILLIS (Hindpool Tigers, full-back): “He has electric pace with great feet and is solid in defence.”

MARTIN JOHN (Ulverston, wing): “He is a flightly winger with good feet.”

LUKE THOMPSON (Barrow Island, outside back): “Fast, strong, powerful and can strike from anywhere.”

LUKE WORRALL-THOMPSON (Barrow Island, outside back/half-back): “He has pace, power and skill, and knows the way to the tryline.”

MITCHELL NICHOLSON (Barrow Island, outside back): “He is strong, fast, competitive and always alert.”

TAYLOR CARTER (Askam, outside back/utility): “A direct and tough player who doesn't take a step back.”

KYLE EVANS (Kells, half-back): “He's a creative half-back who is very evasive.”

SAM JOHNSON (Barrow Island, half-back): “He has good hands and good feet, is always scheming and can create a bit of magic.”

JAMES WALLIS (Kells, half-back/back row): “He is a versatile utility player who has a solid kicking game.”

KEIR SHEPHERD (Askam, hooker/half-back): “He is an electric hooker who is always in the mix.”

ALFIE THOMAS (Barrow Island, prop): “He runs hard, tackles hard and has an exceptional side-step for a prop.”

ELLIOT CAMPBELL (Barrow Island, prop): “He is a hard-running line-breaker and a prolific offloader.”

IESTYN McALOONE (Walney Central, prop): “He is a tough-running and hard-hitting prop forward.”

TYLER WILLIAMSON (Ulverston, prop): “He is a tough prop with great hands.”

ADAM McQUISTAN (Dalton, prop/second row): “He is a solid forward and works hard for the team.”

BRODIE PARK (Dalton, back row): “He is a direct runner who works hard and defends well.”

SI ROBERTSON (Askam, back row): “He is a solid back row forward.”

TYLER LANCASTER (Kells, back row): “He is a dynamic back row player who is quick and strong.”

ROBERT SALT (Barrow Island, loose forward): “He is an energetic and skilful forward who will tackle all day with no concern for his own body.”