York Knights boss Mark Applegarth has given nothing away in terms of his team selection ahead of the club’s Challenge Cup quarter-final with Hull KR.
In a repeat of the opening game of the 2026 Super League season, the two will face off at Craven Park with the winner guaranteed a spot in the last four of the knockout competition.
Applegarth’s side secured a shock victory in night one of the new campaign, as Ata Hingano’s drop goal sealed one of the biggest upset’s in the competition’s history.
York know that KR will be out for revenge after that night, and York will need to produce something similar to that night in February if they are to get a second win over the Robins.
If the Knights are to pull off a win this weekend, they will have to do it without a number of key players, as the club endure somewhat of an injury crisis – however Applegarth has made it clear that injuries are not an excuse that the side will be using should any defeats occur.
Key men such as Toa Mata’afa, Ben Jones-Bishop, Liam Harris and Jordan Thompson are all out, and the extent of their current situation was highlighted last week when the club couldn’t name an 18th player in their defeat to Huddersfield Giants.
To make matters more difficult, a number of players including David Nofoaluma and Will Roberts are cup-tied, limiting their pool of players available even further.
Despite this, Applegarth remained coy on what his team would look like this week, but guaranteed that there would be enough played fit to make a squad.
Asked in a press conference today [Wednesday] who could potentially return this week, he said: “You’ll find out on Saturday.
“Whatever team we put out on Saturday, and I think it’s been a bit sensationalised, we’ll have 17 blokes out there that are going to go as hard as they can to get a victory for York Knights in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup.
“I’m confident that whatever team we put out, as long as we stick to our identity and our standards and our application, especially defensively, we’ll be a match for anyone.
Former Leeds Rhinos man could make York Knights debut this weekend
York won’t reveal their preliminary squad until Thursday afternoon, but with Jones-Bishop and Jon Bennison injured, as well as Nofoaluma being cup-tied, one man who could come into the fray is Jack Smith, who has yet to make an appearance for the Knights since joining the club in the off-season.
Smith, 20, can play in both the centres and on the wing, and has scored four tries and kicked 17 goals in nine appearances for Newcastle Thunder in the Championship.
The Leeds Rhinos academy graduate won the Championship young player of the season in 2025, highlighting his potential and could be handed his debut this week, though Applegarth again failed to say whether that would be the case.
“You’ll have to wait and see until Saturday,” he said. “I’m not saying it for any other reason, just every team has got injuries at this stage of the year and every team will go through a period where some of their perceived star players are out of action for a short period or a long period.
“We’re doing it at this moment, but I definitely don’t want them coming out as excuses. As I’ve said all along, I’d rather focus on who is playing for us.
“There’s some outstanding players still playing for us and there’s some opportunities for players coming in. You see many a career born through a so-called star player for whatever team getting an injury and someone’s taking the chance, don’t you?
“There’s some lads that have earned an opportunity and put themselves in the shop window and they’ve been waiting for these opportunities. These opportunities are coming now and I’m really excited to see them play.
“If Jack is one of them, I’ll be fully supportive and behind him and backing him. He will take that chance to show everyone what he can do.”
Super League Rivals Round madness, broken video referee system and Challenge Cup predictions – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
