By JOHN DAVIDSON
YORK coach Mark Applegarth is unfazed about only having a single pre-season fixture before the club’s 2026 campaign kicks off and insists the Knights are ready to go.
York will play in Super League for the first-time in the club’s history this year. Hull KR, Leigh and the Knights are the only top flight sides not to have more than one hitout before the season officially starts, with the likes of Bradford, Leeds and Castleford having three pre-season games and others two fixtures.
York were beaten 22-4 by the Huddersfield Giants in a friendly last Saturday.
“I’ve done pre-seasons in the past where we’ve had three or four games, last year we only had one,” Applegarth explained to rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“Personally, I like to build up throughout the year and I think with how tough the sport is these days, if you’re looking at your top 22, 23 players I think one or two games, in my opinion, is all you need.
“We’ve been training tough, we’ve been doing what we need there. Naturally you want to see them in a competitive environment, which a pre-season friendly will bring against an opposition that don’t know your calls and what sort of shape you’re going to pull.”
With the Huddersfield match and a Challenge Cup tie before the club’s season opener against Hull KR on February 12, Applegarth believes those are enough games to fully prepare his troops.
“I think that’s a sufficient build-up for us leading into our maiden Super League season,” he said.
“Pre-season is pre-season, every coach will be the same. You’re getting into your squad how you want to play, what you want to be perceived about.
“The main thing is getting everyone fit and firing and that connection as a team. Everyone’s applying themselves in a great manner and we’re at that stage of pre-season now where everyone’s just ready for the games to begin. Begin that journey of the 2026 season.”
It has been a busy season for Applegarth, preparing his team for Super League and making the switch from part-time to full-time.
Also a fortnight ago the 41-year-old and his partner celebrated the birth of their second child.
“Thank you very much, welcoming the new addition in. It’s actually come at a good time, before the season starts, if I’m honest,” he laughed.