YORK City Knights Ladies' Daisy Sanderson and Ashleigh Hyde have been selected to play for Yorkshire at the Origin game against Lancashire on Sunday.

The two are set to feature alongside representatives from Castleford, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls and Featherstone Rovers at the Summer Bash in Blackpool.

The Origin game is the first on the Sunday schedule, kicking off at 10.45am.

Loose-forward Sanderson featured in last year's game - a 16-10 win for Lancashire - but this is centre Hyde's first call-up.

And head coach Daryl North believes it bodes well for the fledgling side, who have started the Women's Super League season with four defeats from four - which contrasts sharply with the fortunes of their teammates.

Table-toppers Cas - who have eight points from a possible eight - send seven players to Bloomfield Road, while Rhinos and Bulls - both with three wins from four - send four and three players, respectively.

But, for North, having the duo picked is a real feather in the cap for York - and, of course, for the girls, who have also been selected for the England Women’s National Performance Squad (fixtures to be released later this year).

North said: "People have written us off, saying we shouldn't be in the league, but the girls are still getting noticed and will hopefully get a chance of playing for England.

"It shows we're moving in the right direction.

"Ash had to work really hard at this," he added. "Daisy was selected at 17 - she's got loads of natural ability - but Ash isn't very big and doesn't look like what she should be for her position.

"She's bulked up a bit, but not a lot, and they've had to put her in because she's been playing so well.

"Her performances have shown she's as tough as anybody. She's phenomenal.

"I don't think there are many better in her position defensively - she's just solid.

"They're very nervous, but excited at the same time.

"Daisy played last year from the bench but she could be starting this year.

"All they've wanted is this opportunity and they've never been in this position before.

"I'm hoping both can cement their place and get selected for the England tour at the end of the year."

In the league, York's most recent fixture ended in 40-4 defeat to Bradford Bulls - but North nonetheless hailed the Knights' showing.

"It was our best performance all season," he said. "Especially the first half.

"The girls performed well - they played fast and they slowed (Bradford) down, what we've been working on all season.

"Second half, we had some injuries, and inexperience on the bench. It was 24-4 with 10 minutes left and they ran in a few quick tries.

"We got found out at the end - but the scoreline didn't reflect the game."

The squads for the Origin game are as follows.

Yorkshire: Dannielle Anderson (Leeds), Savannah Andrade (Bradford), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds), Charlotte Booth (Leeds), Hanna Butcher (Leeds), Grace Field (Castleford), Kelsey Gentles (Castleford), Amy Hardcastle (Bradford), Katherine Hepworth (Featherstone), Shona Hoyle (Castleford), Ashleigh Hyde (York), Leah Jones (Bradford), Rhiannion Marshall (Castleford), Sinead Peach (Castleford), Tamzin Renouf (Castleford), Georgia Roche (Castleford), Daisy Sanderson (York).

Lancashire: Lucy Baggaley (Wigan), Leah Burke (St Helens), Chantelle Crowl (St Helens), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Michelle Davis (Wigan), Zoe Harris (Wigan), Amy Johnson (Leeds), Tara Jones (St Helens), Sarah Lovejoy (St Helens), Roxette Murdoch (Warrington), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Tara Jane Stanley (Castleford), Vanessa Temple (Wigan), Rachel Thompson (Wigan), Naomi Williams (St Helens), Katie-May Williams (St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan).