York Knights are heading into their maiden Super League campaign with plenty of options for what their best XIII could look like.
The Knights, who won the 1895 Cup and League Leaders’ Shield in 2025 before falling short in the Grand Final, have set about a very busy recruitment window with plenty of Super League quality signing at York.
They’ve built on top of what was already a talented squad and that’s left Mark Applegarth with plenty of decisions to iron out over pre-season, with the Knights boasting numerous players in each position that will feel worthy of a starting spot.
Eight players have signed on permanent deals from Super League clubs, whilst another has been loaned in, with a further three overseas players also added.
The Knights will take on Huddersfield Giants in pre-season with that match being the only game confirmed so far, and we’ll certainly know more about their best XIII after that.
However, we’ve had a go at naming their best XIII for 2026, with plenty of 50/50 calls made.
What York Knights’ best XIII could look like in 2026
Full-back: Toa Mata’afa
Mata’afa signed midway through the 2025 season and had an immediate impact, scoring two tries on debut as the Knights romped Hunslet 58-8. He’d go on to score 12 tries in 19 and seems likely to be the starter with Will Dagger and overseas signing Jordan Lipp also options.
Wing: Ben Jones-Bishop
Veteran winger Ben Jones-Bishop could be set for his first Super League appearance since 2020 having signed a new deal ahead of 2026. He’ll turn 38 in August but has shown no signs of slowing down, scoring 29 in 25 for the Knights last year and he could now add to his tally of 129 Super League tries.
Centre: Kieran Buchanan
Former Hull FC man Buchanan signed with the Knights in 2025 and had a strong debut season at York and he’ll now get a chance in Super League, though the likes of Oli Field and former Leeds Rhinos man Jack Smith are also in contention for a start.
Centre: Sam Wood
An England international as recently as 2024, Sam Wood is one of the premier signings made by the Knights and if he can rediscover the form that earned him his England shot, then he’s a sure-fire starter in this side.
Wing: Jon Bennison
Bennison has left St Helens, despite playing well for them when called upon in 2025, with the versatile back landing at York. It’s still to be seen if he can keep out Scott Galeano but his Super League pedigree could edge that battle.
Half: Ata Hingano
Hingano has impressed in his three full seasons at York, having first signed from Leigh midway through 2022. He does have Super League appearances to his name, playing for Salford back in 2021.
Half: Danny Richardson
Richardson is another big name signing for the Knights, however, he’ll have to keep out for Championship Player of the Year nominee and club captain Liam Harris, another former Hull FC man in this side.
Prop: Paul Vaughan
The signign that really got tongues wagging about York’s Super League push was Paul Vaughan with the Australian snubbing a new deal with Warrington to sign for the Knights.
Hooker: Paul McShane
Former Man of Steel Paul McShane landed the Championship Player of the Year award in 2025 but his minutes could be managed with Hull FC man Denive Balmforth loaned in and an option to back him up next year.
Prop: Justin Sangare
One of the Salford players who landed at York is French international Justin Sangare and he proved his Super League status at times last year, impressing down the back end of the season.
Second-row: Jesse Dee
The 31-year-old will head into his fourth year with York and he’s coming off the back of his best season as well, having scored nine tries in 27 last year.
Second-row: Matty Foster
Another Salford man who York swooped in for is Matty Foster, the workmanlike forward who will be supported by former Wakefield man Josh Griffin off the bench.
Loose forward: Jordan Thompson
Loose forward Thompson is another to be handed a new deal recently and he is another Player of the Year nominee from last season. If he can carry that form into 2026 then he’s surely a starter.
Interchanges: Denive Balmforth, Ryan Jackson, John Sagaga, Jack Martin
Balmforth looks set to back up McShane whilst overseas signings Ryan Jackson and John Sagaga will join Jack Martin, who could well start, as powerful forward options off the bench.
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