YORKSHIRE are ready to kick off their Bill Beaumont County Championship campaign with a clash at Bingley tomorrow.

John Feeley's side will begin their cup challenge against Northumberland at Bradford & Bingley’s Wagon Lane ground. They will then face Cheshire at Huddersfield YMCA ‪on May 11.‬ ‪Seven days later sees the return of the roses match with old foes Lancashire at Fylde RFC. All games kick off ‪at 3pm‬.

Yorkshire are unbeaten in the past two years winning six group matches in six, but Lancashire have taken the final in top-spot both times.

There will be a first clash of the roses since 2016 at Fylde’s Woodlands Memorial Ground in what could be a decider between Yorkshire and Lancashire for who reaches the Twickenham showpiece.

This Championship season sees a number of off-the-field for Yorkshire, with former captain Rob Baldwin taking over from Dan Cook as chairman. Huddersfield’s Gaz Lewis comes in as assistant coach to join Darlington Mowden Park’s coach Mark Luffman and Feeley, taking over from Jon Skurr.

The County Championship is an annual rugby union competition in England between teams representing English counties.

An historic and once prestigious competition, more recently it has become a great platform for players at National League level to represent their counties on a national stage.

After restructuring in 2007, the trophy awarded to the winners was named in honour of Sir Bill Beaumont, former England and British & Irish Lions captain.

The competition's final will be played at Twickenham ‪on Sunday, June 2‬, after the England v Barbarians match.

Feeley, who is also coach at Wharfedale, said: “Yorkshire are unbeaten in the last two County Championships, winning six from six, but that hasn't happened by accident.

“The players have bought in fully to the cause and their commitment makes it a privilege to work with them.

"Our approach is simple: we make it player-centred. Give them the best opportunity to perform by creating the right environment to achieve their potential.

“Enjoyment, welfare, facilities, management, attitude; getting those right has been the key.

“This year we will be tested by Northumberland, Cheshire and the roses clash with Lancashire. Three fantastic opportunities to bring the counties clubs together by showcasing our talent on the representative stage.

“We will continue to strive to make wearing the white jersey every players aspiration.”

The English County Championship was first officially recognised by the Rugby Football Union in 1889. This year's Championship will be the 119th edition.

In 2017 the competition was given a new structure, with the top tier comprising 12 teams, separated into two northern and southern groups. The second and third tiers have eight teams each.

The Bill Beaumont Cup is contested by the winners of the northern and southern first division winners after a round robin-style contest.

Each tier has a final each year, but promotion and relegation between tiers is decided on a two-year basis.

Yorkshire squad: Forwards: Ben Bell, Hull Ionians; Lewis Bradley, Huddersfield; Jake Brady, Darlington Mowden Park; Sam Brady, Harrogate; Will Dennis, Rotherham Titans; Francis Entressengle, Huddersfield; Ed Falkingham, Hull Ionians; Joe Graham, Otley; George Hedgley, Wharfedale; Dave Laverick, Hull Ionians; Joe Makin, Hull Ionians; Jason Moss, Otley; Zack Poole, Rotherham Titans; Dan Preston-Routlage, Rotherham Titans; James Sanderson, Hull Ionians; Lawrence Sanderson, Otley; Dan Stockdale, Wharfedale; Rikki Stout, Rotherham Titans; James Tyson, Wharfedale; Reece Ward, Wharfedale; Harry Whitfield, Huddersfield.

Backs: Jack Blakeney-Edwards, Wharfedale; Jamie Broadley, Sheffield Tigers; Harry Dunne, Rotherham Titans; Tom Hodson, Huddersfield; Callum Irvine, Rotherham Titans; Ben Magee, Otley; Jack Maplesden, Huddersfield; Danny Matthews, Harrogate; Will Milner, Huddersfield; Lewis Minikin, Hull Ionians; Henry Roberts, Rotherham Titans; James Tincknell, Hull Ionians; Rob Watts, Hull.