Five Far North Coast rugby players picked in team to tour England

Wollongbar-Alstonville five-eighth Ben Damen, Grafton lock Ed McGrath and Richmond Range forwards Alext Gibbon and Hayden Pratt were picked in the Australian Stockman team.

Former Lismore junior Travis Gifford, who now plays in Sydney with the Warringah Rats was also selected.

Australian Stockman is an invitational representative side founded in Longreach in 2013 to provide athletic and personal development opportunities for grassroots rugby union players from regional, rural and remote Australia, with a strong focus on positive conversations around men's health.

Gibbon has an impressive CV having played Australian rugby sevens, Shute Shield and Super Rugby while Damen has captained the NSW Country team.

McGrath has been impressive at representative level while Pratt has excelled at rugby since coming across from Casino rugby league.

The For King and Country tour will run from October 4-25 with a warm-up match and launch function in Sydney, before departing for England to take on historic clubs Oxford University, Cambridge University and Black Heath Rugby, with a final fixture to be announced.

"From a significant pool of talented players from across regional Australia, I believe we've picked a competitive and well-balanced group to represent Australian Stockman," coach Jim McKay said.

"There is a great mix of players from a range of backgrounds, different stories and rugby journeys. When the players and staff don the Australian Stockman logo, we're representing something bigger than ourselves - not only the values and traditions of this proud team, but also our communities from across rural, regional and remote Australia.

"This is an opportunity for players to step up and showcase their talents and represent their roots.

"We will be playing a positive, abrasive and enjoyable style of rugby, whilst embracing the traditional values of team sport, namely connecting and bringing people together.

"While the action on the field is important, this tour is also an opportunity to raise awareness around men's mental health. It's about coming together as a group for a collective goal and leaving as better players and people.

"We're looking forward to taking country rugby from the bush to Buckingham as we do our best to represent country Australia on and off the field."

The 2024 For King and Country Tour is the fifth tour initiative by Stockman Rugby, having previously toured New Zealand (2013), Ireland (2015), North Queensland (2016), New Zealand and Argentina (2017) and Perth to play the Western Force (2018).

A new-look competition will see 10 teams play first grade in Far North Coast rugby union this season.

Evans Head, Richmond Range and Southern Cross University have made the step up to first grade with no President's Cup competition this year.

Lennox Head has also returned to the fold after playing in a lower grade last year.

There will be a local derby to start the year with City hosting SCU at Lismore Rugby Park.

Defending premiers Wollongbar-Alstonville will be favourites to win a third straight title while Byron Shire Rebels will look to go one better after making the grand final last year.

The Rebels are a joint venture club which formed 12 months ago when Byron Bay and Bangalow merged.

Ballina, Casino and Casuarina will also play first grade.

Kyogle, Yamba and Mullumbimby are in second grade with an under-18s and women's draw to be finalised.