SEVEN Warrington Wolves players – more than any other club – have been named in the latest England Academy squad.

A 43-man National Academy Performance Squad has been revealed and those within it will compete for places on a four-week tour of Australia and New Zealand later this year.

Josh Thewlis, who made his first-team debut for The Wire last year, is named alongside teammates Connor Wrench, Dean Beddall, Luke Broadbent, Jacob Gannon, Ellis Longstaff and George Roby.

Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Wigan Warriors each supply six members of the squad, which also features players from Bradford Bulls (1), Castleford Tigers (3), Huddersfield Giants (3), Hull FC (5) and Widnes Vikings (2).

Squad members will come together for the first time at Weetwood Hall in Leeds on Wednesday, February 19.

Academy Origin matches are scheduled for May 13 and June 24 at Batley and Wakefield respectively, with training sessions taking place at Weetwood throughout the spring and summer.

Selection for the four-week tour of New Zealand and Australia, which begins on 10 August, will take place at the end of June. Full tour details will be announced in due course.

“The purpose of the England Academy Programme is to identify players who have the potential to play international Rugby League at senior level in the future and to create development opportunities for them here and now,” RFL national programmes manager Dave Elliot said.

“We’re very excited about the prospect of a tour Down Under, but there’s a lot of hard work before then and nobody is certain of a place.

“We’ll be keeping a keen eye on club form, listening to club coaches and running regular training sessions throughout the year.

“As in 2019, this year’s ‘Origin’ fixtures will form a significant part of the preparation and selection process.”