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The eligibility criteria for rugby league's showpiece interstate tournament is once again in the spotlight after the Dolphins centre revealed he wants to represent the Maroons one day if able to.

Farnworth, 25, was born in England but moved to Brisbane at 14 years old to initially play for the Broncos.

He has already represented England six times at Test level, making him ineligible to play State of Origin.

The NRL's rules state a player will not be eligible to represent Queensland or New South Wales if they have previously played for England or New Zealand - rugby league's Tier 1 nations alongside Australia.

Herbie Farnworth of the Dolphins celebrates a try.

The rules also require a player to have lived in either state prior to their 13th birthday in order to be eligible.

Players are allowed to play Origin and also represent Tier 2 nations such as Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, or Fiji - something the likes of Jarome Luai, Haumole Olakau'atu, and Kotoni Staggs have done in recent years.

"I think anyone would be lying to say that they didn't want to play Origin," Farnworth told Kayo last week.

"I can't see the rules getting changed so I can play, but I've been over here since I was 14 or 15, so if they ever did I'd be keen to play for Queensland.

"But as long as I can still keep playing for England, that's my main goal going into the Ashes and the World Cup next year."

Farnworth representing Queensland could pit him head to head with Blues star Stephen Crichton.

They are considered the best centres in world rugby league this year and the idea of them clashing in such a fierce arena would be mouthwatering for fans.

And while Lockyer rates Farnworth and loves watching him play, the Maroons great doesn't want him wearing the jersey.

"If you've been here since 15 and you're playing in the NRL at 18 or 19 (years old) you have only been here four or five years.

"I reckon you need to be here before you start school to be a Queenslander or New South Welshman.

"People say it's about the best of the best, well not necessarily. It's the passion that comes from both states that goes into the contest and makes it what it is.

"The product is not necessarily the best of the best out there, it's what it means to the player in the jersey that makes State of Origin."

Darren Lockyer of the Maroons in action.

State of Origin has long been regarded as the best players on Australian shores going head to head.

The concept has been criticised in recent years given a larger percentage of the NRL were born overseas or have ties to other nations.

Jason Taumalolo was in an eligibility battle between Queensland and New Zealand early in his career, while Ronaldo Mulitalo was denied the chance to represent Queensland despite choosing the Maroons over the Kiwis when he thought he was eligible to play for either. Meanwhile, 2023 Dally M Medal winner Kalyn Ponga caused a stir last year when he withdrew himself from Australian selection, and he has been constantly linked to representing New Zealand despite having already played for the Maroons.

Ponga, Reece Walsh and others have essentially been forced to choose between playing for Queensland or playing for New Zealand. If they did play for the Kiwis they could no longer represent the Maroons.

Former Blues player Victor Radley ditched Origin a couple of years ago to pledge his allegiance to England. The move instantly ended his availability for NSW.

There have been calls for the NRL to allow English and Kiwi representatives to also be eligible for Origin but Lockyer is clearly not a fan of the idea.

Game one of the 2025 Origin series will be played on May 28, with NSW and Queensland selectors to pick their squads after Sunday night's round 11 clash between Wests Tigers and South Sydney.