Proud Tyke Lee Crooks will today be confirmed as the new coach of Yorkshire for the forthcoming Roses clash.
As reported in the Evening Press, the York Wasps boss was a firm favourite to land the role for the 'Area of Origin' fixture against Lancashire at Headingley on May 5.
His assistant for the clash, which will act as a Great Britain trial match for this year's Ashes series, will be Featherstone Rovers chief Peter Roe.
It is a massive boost for Crooks who is yet to coach at the top level, his only appointments having been a one-year stint with a struggling Keighley Cougars side in 1998 and his current role in charge of the beleaguered Wasps.
The 37-year-old former Great Britain prop, capped 17 times by his country, is relishing the prospect of working with the top players.
Another former Great Britain international, Andy Gregory, will coach Lancashire, assisted by Oldham boss Mike Ford.
The Area of Orgin format is based on the State of Origin in Australia, where players represent the county of their birth. That means Crooks will not have the likes of Leeds Rhinos' Iestyn Harris to call on - he qualifies for Lancashire.
Updated: 09:37 Thursday, April 05, 2001
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