After announcements that 2017’s City v Country Origin fixture would be the final entry in the metro against rural saga, Country Rugby League are expecting bumper crowds at Glen Willow to see out the long-standing game.

The plan is to launch the ticket sales at the Sporting Complex, with general public able to pick their tickets up on February 21.

Attending the launch will be former Country and City Origin players Andrew Ryan and Paul Langmack, as well as Country Rugby League CEO Terry Quinn and Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy.

After the announcement tickets for the final match on Sunday, May 7 will be available for grandstand and general access.

This will be the second City v Country match played in Mudgee after it hosted the match in 2012.

The annual clash has recorded sell-outs in its past two fixtures at Tamworth in 2016 and Wagga Wagga in 2015.

Although City v Country marks the end of the origin series in regional NSW, NRL head of football Brian Canavan was quick to reassure regional NSW it won’t be left for dead.

Canavan said the 2017 NRL draw has several teams heading west, including Bathurst with its agreement with Penrith Panthers to hold games at Carrington Park.

While in 2018 a restructured NSW Cup competition will include a team from regional NSW, opening the door for second tier games in rugby league strongholds in the bush.