Super League: York Knights aim to down champions Hull KR on debut

The Knights help kick off the newly expanded Super League, which has lost Salford Red Devils since last season but gained three new sides in York, Bradford Bulls and Toulouse Olympique.

York only learned they would be moving up into the top flight in October, meaning they have had to transform from a part-time to a full-time set up in a matter of months.

And Harris insisted his side must ignore the “outside noise” as they head into the new campaign with little expectation from those outside the club.

“It’s for other people to either write us off or back us,” he said.

“That is their opinion and, with all due respect, we won’t listen to good or bad. All we care about is our opinion of ourselves and our coaches’ opinions of us.

“So we will keep the outside noise outside and focus on what we need as a group.”

Knights’ coach Mark Applegarth, who has been at the club since June 2024, is another relishing the prospect of going head-to-head with established Super League coaches, including Hull KR’s Willie Peters, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, Matt Peet of Wigan and Leigh’s Adrian Lam.

“That is what is exciting and what drives you,” said Applegarth, who previously had a spell as a Super League head coach with Wakefield in 2023.

“If you didn’t feel that you belong you are probably not in the right job. I feel like I belong there and I can do some damage there as a coach.

“That is the beauty of life that you dare to dream and I firmly believe that I belong there. I have that burning desire to improve and I really can’t wait.”