TEAMS at this year's York Nines competition will be subjected to a Spanish inquisition.
Espagne Origine, champions of the 2006 Lezignan Nines, will be bidding to complete a unique European double by winning the York title in July.
The team has the endorsement of the European Rugby League Federation in its ambition to establish the sport in Spain, supplementing the impact made by Catalans Dragons in the Super League this season.
Origine draw their talent from the top levels of the French game where many of the southern-based clubs boast several players with a Spanish heritage.
Patrice Gomez (UTC), Jean Laffont (AS Carcassone), Remy Bueno (Toulouse), Ismael Navarlas (FC Lezignan) and Max Pala (RCC Carpentas) have all represented the side, who are coached by former Bramley player Jerome Alonso.
Origine made the final of the Venice Nines last season before knocking out the hosts and defending champions in the last four of the Lezignan-Corbieres Nines in September.
They went on to beat Serbia in the final and will now be one of the favourites to lift the Fairfax Cup with the exciting prospect of a head-to-head meeting with reigning champions York City Knights.
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