York Knights current squad depth assessed as eight new signings part of maiden Super League squad

It was announced this week that York Knights were one of two teams that would be promoted to Super League next year, as they join Bradford Bulls and Toulouse Olympique in making the step up to the top flight.

A successful Championship season saw them finish win the 1895 Cup at Wembley, as well as top of the table at the end of the regular season. Only a narrow defeat to Toulouse in the Grand Final stopped them from picking up a clean sweep of trophies in 2025.

Now, they prepare to make the leap to the top division, a place they have never been since rugby league moved to the summer era. As shown by many teams coming up and going straight back down, the gap between the two leagues is vast, and it will need excellent planning, along with strong recruitment, to make their first stay in Super League last longer than a singular season.

Knights owner Clint Goodchild and his staff are well on the way to going that, and have made great strides across the season to make sure they are ready for the top flight. The North Yorkshire outfit currently have 19 players under contract for 2026, there are also 15 players who played for them in the season just gone that are yet to confirm their whereabouts for next season, with many of those expected to remain and be a part of Mark Applegarth’s squad next year.

Here is a complete run-down of the Knights’ squad so far, and how they are looking to shape up next year.

York Knights contracts and squad depth assessed ahead of first-ever Super League campaign

Starting with those who played for the club last year, there are 11 players on deals that run through to the end of next season, with some even going beyond that. Former Super League Man of Steel Paul McShane will be a top flight player once again, having signed a two-year deal last November. Aussie winger Scott Galeano scored 21 tries since his debut in April, and will also be sticking around next year.

The Knights have also announced eight new signings for the upcoming season, including NRL veteran and former Warrington Wolves man Paul Vaughan. He is expected to lead a forward pack that includes fellow new additions Justin Sangare and Josh Griffin.

As mentioned, 15 players who played for the club in 2025 have not had their futures confirmed, be that the club not revealing the full length of their contract or that they are yet to agree new terms. Some of those include Super League stalwarts Ben Jones-Bishop and Jordan Thompson, with fan favourite Brenden Santi another waiting to have his next steps announced.

The club announced earlier this month that seven players will leave the club, including Hull FC-bound Connor Bailey and departing Sheffield Eagles duo, Joe Brown and Conor Fitzsimmons.

York Knights players under contract for 2026:Jon Bennison*, Jack Brown, Kieran Buchanan, Mitch Clark, Will Dagger, Scott Galeano, Josh Griffin*, Liam Harris, Ata Hingano, Jordan Lipp*, Jack Martin, Toa Mata’afa, Paul McShane, Taylor Pemberton, Danny Richardson*, Justin Sangare*, Jack Smith*, Paul Vaughan*, Sam Wood*

*Denotes new signing

York Knights 2025 squad members unconfirmed for 2026:Bailey Antrobus, Sam Cook, Jesse Dee, Levi Edwards, Jude Ferreira, Oliver Field, Myles Harrison, Ben Jones-Bishop, Joe Law, Jacques O’Neill, Harvey Reynolds, Brenden Santi, Jordan Thompson, Mac Walsh, Brad Ward

York Knights departing players: Connor Bailey (Hull FC), Joe Brown, Conor Fitzsimmons (both Sheffield Eagles), James Farrar, Jacob Gannon, Jack Potter (all TBC), Ukuma Ta’ai (Retired)