The three-year-old competition has grown in stature each year, meaning several clubs are less inclined to treat it purely as a warm-up to the league season.

York have not been given an easy group, with two Division One sides and relegated Dewsbury making their pool the most even-looking of the five, though Gateshead may be a welcome cross-section opponent.

Here, we take a look at the Knights’ group stage rivals.

BATLEY BULLDOGS
Ground: Mount Pleasant
Coach: Gary Thornton
Survived inter-divisional play-off by beating Sheffield but are unlikely to trouble the leading sides in NL1. Enjoyed a good pre-season under new coach who will hope for a better year and another good ATC run.
One to watch: Barry Eaton – goalkicking king and tricky scrum-half
Last season in league: 9th NL1
Last season in ATC: Last 4
Prediction: Hopes of progression

DEWSBURY RAMS
Heavy defeat to Batley in pre-season may provide clues as to how they will fare, although friendlies are notoriously untrustworthy pointers.

Will want to prove their worth at NL1 standard following their relegation last season. Won away and lost at home to the Knights in last year’s competition.
Last season in ATC: Last 8
Prediction: Can’t be dismissed in group

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS
Ground: ‘Lionheart Stadium’ (Post Office Road)
Coach: Gary Price
Did the double over York in this competition last year but have seen a few players join the Knights, including new York coach Richard Agar.

Have recruited well, though, and will want to progress.
One to watch: Ian Tonks – Rovers’ front row will be important
Last season in league: 7th NL1
Last season in ATC: Last 8
Prediction: Group winners

GATESHEAD THUNDER
(North Section)
One of the best cross-section opponents any club could have wished for. York will expect to take maximum points from the Thunder and hope to boost points difference. However, nothing should be taken for granted as shown by Gateshead’s shock win at York in the league last year.
Last season in ATC: group
Prediction: Struggle in their own group