Lee Crooks will take a welcome break from York Wasps' troubles to lead Yorkshire into Origin action against the old enemy tonight.

Just two days after watching Northern Ford Premiership basement club York suffer their 15th straight defeat, the Wasps boss will be in charge of the star-studded Yorkshire side which takes on Lancashire at Headingley (kick-off 8pm).

They are two contrasting ends of the coaching spectrum and Crooks admitted: "It's a lot easier coaching Yorkshire. You can relate a lot more on a level playing field.

"Without being disrespectful to the lads at York you are trying to coach them the fundamentals. At this level the players know what you're asking them to do, you just have to tweak them a bit.

"It's given me a good insight as to what needs to be done at this level. I'm hoping if I can do a good job it will be a stepping stone in my coaching career.

"I've enjoyed it. Hopefully we've got everything right and can bring it to fruition on the night."

Crooks has opted for an all-Bradford Bulls pack with players from Halifax, Leeds, Wigan, Castleford and Hull FC making up the rest of the starting line-up.

Both teams are missing two players through injury.

In a boost for Yorkshire, Leeds' influential captain Iestyn Harris has been ruled out of the Lancashire side with a hamstring strain, along with St Helens' half-back Sean Long who is out for the rest of the season.

Long's team-mate Tim Jonkers and Bradford's Paul Deacon are brought in as their replacements.

Yorkshire will be without Hull's Richard Horne and Leeds' Karl Pratt. They have been replaced by Salford's Francis Maloney and Leeds' Francis Cummins who are both on the bench.

Yorkshire: Daryll Cardiss (Halifax), Leon Pryce (Bradford), Chev Walker (Leeds), Keith Senior (Leeds), David Hodgson (Wigan), Danny Orr (Castleford), Tony Smith (Hull FC), Brian McDermott (Bradford), James Lowes (Bradford), Stuart Fielden (Bradford), Jamie Peacock (Bradford), Lee Radford (Bradford), Lee Gilmour (Bradford). Subs: Francis Maloney (Salford), Francis Cummins (Leeds), Paul King (Hull FC), Darren Fleary (Leeds), Paul Anderson (Bradford).

Lancashire: Kris Radlinski (Wigan), Paul Wellens (St Helens), Paul Johnson (Wigan), Gary Connolly (Wigan), Dom Peters (London), Lee Briers (Warrington), Paul Deacon (Bradford), Terry O'Connor (Wigan), Keiron Cunningham (St Helens), Barrie McDermott (Leeds), Chris Joynt (St Helens), Paul Sculthorpe (St Helens), Andy Farrell (Wigan). Subs: Neil Turley (Leigh), Tim Jonkers (St Helens), Andy Coley (Salford), Terry Newton (Wigan), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds).

Updated: 08:56 Tuesday, June 05, 2001