Lancashire set to fly out to Serbia to take on Red Star Belgrade

Lancashire’s BARLA side fly out to Serbia on Tuesday for a week-long tour where they will take on Red Star Belgrade.

The BARLA Three Counties champions will stay in Belgrade and take on the domestic side that historically played in the Challenge Cup this season on Wednesday.

As well as carrying out some development work for the sport on the trip, they will face a Serbian National select side next Sunday.

The following squad has been selected from teams competing in the National Conference League and North West Mens League and met up for a pre-tour training and briefing session yesterday. (Sunday)

Lancashire will again be coached by Mick Blakeley. He will be ably assisted by Craig Farrimond, Chris Murphy and Peter Eccles while Steve Blakeley travels as physio.

The touring party has seen some late drama with Danny Brown (Latchford Albion) picking up an injury recently, and there were also concerns for Zac Baker (Rochdale Mayfield). Thomas O’Loughlin (Shevington Sharks) has been drafted with Farrimond standing by to also play if necessary.

Despite these tribulations, everyone is in good spirits ahead of the tour and Chair Phil Johnson added, “We are all really looking forward to getting out to Belgrade, seeing a stunning country, playing some rugby league against great hosts and spreading the word.”

Both tour games are to be streamed online via Red Star Belgrade’s Facebook page. You can follow them by searching for Red Star Belgrade Rugby League.