Heworth forward Chris Varley has been named in a 24-man National Conference League Eagles train-on squad for the representative side’s game against Languedoc Roussillon XIII in York next month.

The Conference side, coached by former York RL ace Jamie Benn and managed by Heworth stalwart Ken Sykes, will hold their first training session at Eccles on Saturday, May 21.

Further sessions are planned ahead of the squad being cut to 20 in the build-up to the game, which will take place on Saturday, June 11 (2.30pm), at Heworth.

“It was extremely difficult reducing the initial 40-plus nominations to an initial squad,” said Sykes.

“Such was the quality available to us we had to think long and hard about who we named, but we are confident the players we select will do the NCL proud.”

The visitors – a regional representative side from the south of France – are sure to provide a tough test for an Eagles outfit that draws players from division one and two of the flagship league.

They will prepare for the main game against the Eagles with a warm-up against division one side Stanningley two days before.

Eagles squad: Tom Wood (Castleford Lock Lane), Matthew Bacon (Castleford Panthers), Ade Mulcahy (Eastmoor Dragons), Chris Smith (Eccles), Mark Thomas (Eccles), Peter Bewsher (Egremont Rangers), John-Henry Howarth (Elland), Chris Varley (Heworth), Johnny Dawson (Hunslet Warriors), Gary McClelland (Hunslet Warriors), Wayne Leyland (Ince Rose Bridge), Josh Parle (Milford Marlins), Paul Carter (Millom), Matthew Palmer (Millom), Lee James (Myton Warriors), Kris Walker (Myton Warriors), David Cookson (Oldham St Annes), Danny Kay (Oldham St Annes), Adrian Holdsworth (Oulton Raiders), William Midgley (Ovenden), Aidy Gleeson (Rochdale Mayfield), Todd O’Brien (Rochdale Mayfield), Danny Annakin (Shaw Cross Sharks), Joel Marsh (Stanley Rangers).