Head Coach, Sam Burgess is excited about the challenge of coming up against a physical York Knights pack in Friday's Betfred Super League clash at the LNER Community Stadium.

After two wins from two at home, the Wire hit the road for the first time in 2026 to take on the new boys who have hit the Super League by storm, beating champions, Hull KR and their West Hull compatriots, Hull FC in two of their first three games this season.

"I think they're a very good side. I think they've got some big physical players and some nice attacking shapes, " Burgess began. "You can see from their results too, that they can win tight games. I'm excited about the challenge to go there and play over in York, but I'm expecting a tough game."

On our win against Wakefield Trinity last Saturday, Burgess added: "I liked the win because I thought it was a tough game. Both teams were around 90% completion, which tells you it was a tough game. We had to win it.

"We built the game in the first-half, they threw a bit at us in the second-half, and we had to come through a few different hurdles. I liked it, it was a tough, gritty win."

An unchanged 21 brings with it a question about star winger, Matty Ashton, who is inching ever closer to a return. Our Head Coach gave an update on when Wire fans could see him back in action.

"Matty (Ashton) won't be up for selection until Castleford. He was sick last week and lost a bit of weight, so we've just decided we want to hit a few markers with him. He's training fully, he has been for four weeks now, he just missed two or three days last week.

"I think with Matty, the longer we leave it, the risk units become less, so I guess the illness gave me a chance to use another two or three weeks to take a bit of risk away from him. Coming into that Castleford week, it will be about 11 months, which tells me he's in a better place."

"He's keen to play, he's ready to play, but we're just finding that balance as performance staff."

Burgess: "I'm expecting a tough game"