OF the newcomers to Super League, York are the only ones to have not tasted life at this level previously, at least in their current guise.
But while the club are new to Super League, Super League is not new to many of their stars with players such as Paul McShane, Jordan Thompson, Ben Jones-Bishop, Danny Richardson, Justin Sangaré and Josh Griffin among those with top-flight experience. Add to that the experience of Paul Vaughan from Warrington Wolves and the task ahead of the club may appear a little less daunting.
Coach Mark Applegarth has rewarded many of his squad who only narrowly missed out on Grand Final glory after finishing top of the Championship and claiming the 1895 Cup in 2025 with new contracts and the chance to make the step up to the top flight.
For Applegarth as well, 2026 will give him the chance to prove his worth as a Super League coach. His last spell in the division in 2023 ended with Wakefield Trinity suffering relegation after just four wins in 27 games. He for one will be hoping for a better return to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself, but the step up may prove too much for the North Yorkshire club.
One to watch
Before their Super League status was even confirmed, forward Paul Vaughan had confirmed his move to York.
It was seen as a huge coup at the time, and now that they have been promoted to the top flight, his acquisition could be even more vital.
A big presence in the middle of the park, a leader on the field and with NRL experience under his belt, Vaughan is just the sort of player York will need if they are to compete.
Talking tactics with Jodie Cunningham
A 20 game winning streak is impressive at any level but Super League will pose a completely new challenge to the Knights.
Despite their inexperience at this level as a club, they have a large cohort of players that have vast Super League experience and know what it takes to perform at the next level from the middle of the field in skipper Paul McShane to hig- flying winger Ben Jones-Bishop.
With the bulk of the Knights pack being over 30, their middles will need to bring physicality and control around the ruck to provide a stable platform for others to play off, particularly when playing against some of the more explosive mobile packs in the competition.
Potential milestones
Oli Field needs 16 appearances for 100 for York appearances
Liam Harris needs 77 points for 1,000 in his career
Ben Jones-Bishop needs 11 appearances for 400 in his career
Squad: 1 Toa Mata’afa, 2 Ben Jones-Bishop, 3 Jordan Lipp, 4 Sam Wood, 5 Scott Galeano, 6 Ata Hingano, 7 Liam Harris, 8 Jack Martin, 9 Paul McShane, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Josh Griffin, 12 Jesse Dee, 13 Jordan Thompson, 14 Denive Balmforth, 15 Xavier Va’a, 16 Justin Sangaré, 17 Kieran Buchanan, 19 Danny Richardson, 20 Oli Field, 21 Kieran Buchanan, 22 John Segaga, 23 Jon Bennison, 24 Will Dagger, 25 Jack Smith, 26 Nikau Williams, 27 Matty Foster, 28 Ryan Jackson, 38 Will Roberts, 40 Taylor Pemberton, 41 Mitch Clark
Ins: Paul Vaughan (Warrington), Josh Griffin (Wakefield), Jordan Lipp (Norths), Sam Wood (Castleford), Justin Sangaré (Salford), Jon Bennison (St Helens), Jack Smith (Leeds), Danny Richardson (Hull KR), Matty Foster (Oldham), Ryan Jackson (Central Queensland), John Sagaga (Penrith), Will Roberts (St Helens), Nikau Williams (unattached), Xavier Va’a (Sydney), Denive Balmforth (Hull FC, loan)
Outs: Connor Bailey (Hull FC), Jacob Gannon, James Farrar, Jack Potter (all released), Joe Brown (Sheffield), Conor Fitzsimmons (Sheffield), Bailey Antrobus, Sam Cook, Joe Law, Jude Ferreira, Brad Ward, Harvey Reynolds, Myles Harrison, Brenden Santi, Ukuma Ta’ai, Jack Brown (all Newcastle)
RLW predicts: 14th