It's team mate against team mate, Super League divided. Last year’s inaugural Origin match was a massive success with the Exiles coming out on top.

However this year according to Opta’s Official Statistics, England’s players are in the driving seat for the opening match at Langtree Park on Saturday. Based on a proposed starting 13, selected from the announced 22 man squads, Opta have identified some key areas which prove that England have the skills and physical attributes necessary to impose their superiority against their Southern Hemisphere counterparts.

Across the board England rate higher in the metres gained and clean breaks stats. England currently gain on average 98 metres per player, per game, whilst the Exiles average only 91metres per man.  This is key in the context of the final result, as an overwhelming number of games in Super League this season have been won by the side who gained the most ground.

If last season’s clash between the two sides is anything to base predictions on, Saturday’s match should be closely-fought and may rely on an individual piece of skill to break the stalemate.  Again England rate higher across the board in these flair categories.  Steve McNamara’s men have recorded nearly 30% more clean breaks this season tallying 118 in the first 16 rounds of Super League in contrast to the Exiles teams 89 and it doesn’t stop there. England’s players have off loaded the ball in the tackle 238 times so far this season in the domestic game again shadowing the Exiles 127 meaning England are capable of playing a more free flowing exciting style of Rugby.

 With England’s players passing the ball on average 18.6 times per game, five more than the Exiles players, this game will give England the chance to banish the myth that our antipodean opponents play a more creative brand of Rugby! Strong defence from the individuals of both sides is another indication that we can expect the match to be tight, raising emphasis on how well the two sides gel in the build-up to the game. 

There’s everything to play for. Origin is everything, be there to see who triumphs! For tickets, telephone 0844 856 1113 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk

MATCH DETAILS: LANGTREE PARK STADIUM, ST HELENS, SATURDAY 16TH JUNE, KO 6.45PM.

TICKETS: ADULTS FROM £18, CONC. FROM £9

The Opta statistics were based on the following 13 man teams and are purely speculative for illustration purposes.

England Team:

Jamie Peacock, Garreth Carvell, Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jon Wilkin, Carl Ablett, James Roby, Ryan Atkins, Sam Tomkins, Rangi Chase, Ryan Hall, Tom Briscoe, Sean O'Loughlin

Exiles Team:

Brett Hodgson, Lance Hohaia, Francis Meli, Trent Waterhouse, Thomas Leuluai, Anthony Laffranchi, Iosia Soliola, Willie Manu, Joel Monaghan, Daryl Millard, Setaimata Sa, Jeff Lima, Scott Dureau