MARK APPLEGARTH goes into his first full season as York coach having laid the foundations for a possible title push.
When he was appointed last June, the club were in the relegation play-off place, yet a remarkable run saw them finish fourth and reach the play-off semi-finals.
It might not be fair to expect such form to continue forever, and the losses of Will Jubb, AJ Towse and Nikau Williams will hurt.
But this York squad is one of the strongest in the league and will expect to be competing with the Championship’s top teams in 2025.
Along with a strong pack, the Knights have added to their backline with the exciting additions of Kieran Buchanan, Jude Ferreira and Joe Law.
Then there is the signing from Castleford of former Man of Steel Paul McShane, who ought to be a class act at hooker – if fit.
Watch out for… Rugby league’s first Love Islander. Jacques O’Neill is still yet to make his return to action since taking part in the reality show in 2022, and was unable to return to fitness when he rejoined Castleford. A move to York is the latest bid to relaunch what had been a promising early career for the hooker, including England youth honours.
Squad: 1 Will Dagger, 2 Joe Brown, 3 Kieran Buchanan, 4 Joe Law, 5 Brad Ward, 6 Ata Hingano, 7 Liam Harris, 8 Jack Martin, 9 Paul McShane, 10 Brenden Santi, 11 Jesse Dee, 12 Connor Bailey, 13 Jordan Thompson, 14 Taylor Pemberton, 15 Jack Teanby, 16 Jacob Gannon, 17 Ukuma Ta’ai, 19 Sam Cook, 20 Oli Field, 21 Conor Fitzsimmons, 22 Jacques O’Neill, 23 Levi Edwards, 24 Harvey Reynolds, 25 Bailey Antrobus, 26 Myles Harrison, 27 James Farrar, 28 Jack Potter, 29 Jude Ferreira, 30 Mac Walsh, 31 Kieran Hudson, 32 Jack Brown.
Rugby League World predicts: 4th
First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 505 (February 2025)
