York Knights captain Liam Harris is plotting an ambush against reigning champions Hull KR in Thursday's Super League opener at the LNER Community Stadium. The Knights, one of three new teams in the expanded competition, face the Robins in their first-ever top-flight match at 20:00 GMT.

Harris believes the fixture presents a golden opportunity for an upset, having studied Hull KR's championship-winning campaign. "We have got them round one and we believe there is a real opportunity to go out there and put our best foot forward," he told BBC Radio York. The Knights transformed from part-time to full-time operations after learning of their promotion in October, giving them just months to prepare.

Coach Mark Applegarth, who joined in June 2024, relishes the challenge of competing against established Super League coaches like Willie Peters and Sam Burgess. "If you didn't feel that you belong you are probably not in the right job," he said. The Knights must ignore outside expectations as they begin their Super League era, with Harris insisting the team will focus solely on their own standards rather than external noise.