ENGLAND coach Stuart Barrow has said the recent Origin series has played a vital role in their preparations for next year’s World Cup – both on and off the field.

As well as giving much needed representative experience to a number of player who will likely travel to Australia in 12-months’ time, Barrow also gave them a taste of what the trip will be like by replicating a camp environment.

“Without an end of season Test match we felt it was important that we got a wider group together in a camp environment,” explained Barrow after Lancashire’s win on Saturday.

“We came into the camp on Thursday night in two separate hotels and had an intense two days of training where we put the players under stress and fatigue to replicate a World Cup tournament that will start on this same weekend in 12 months’ time. 

Lancashire made it a 2-0 series win with a hard-fought 20-14 victory over a Lois Forsell-coached Yorkshire at Oldham’s Boundary Park. Dec Hardman’s Red Rose side previously enjoyed a convincing 50-8 victory in the first game at Hull KR’s Craven Park in August.

“Saturday’s game was a great one to watch and there were lots of learnings for players and staff,” added Barrow.

“The players will now enjoy a rest before starting pre-season at their clubs and then joining us for a selected group camp in January, February and March.”