THERE will be a French flavour to the two-day York International 9s this summer.

Of the 24 sides who will take part in the weekend event, set for June 26-27, four are from France. Montpellier XIII join the trio that played last year - FC Lezignan-Corbieres, SO Avignon and Les Hussards de Paris.

Strela Kazan will make their annual trip from Russia determined to make amends after their semi-final defeat last year.

The South Asia Bulls will also return, and joining them are the West Indies, who have recruited some capable assistants to help them develop a good side, in the shape of former York Wasps player Dean Thomas, who works for the Institute of Sport in Sheffield, and coach Steve Pryce, who plays with Hunslet in National League Two.

York Ironsides, a representative team made up of players from the host city's amateur clubs, will again take part, along with cross-code challengers York RUFC, while the other tier of amateur rugby in the Minster city will also be involved with news that the University of York will take part for the first time.

The organisers turned away ten teams, having seen a total of 34 apply to take part in the 24-strong European Rugby League Federation-backed tournament, which is now in its third year.

Three clubs from National League Three will take part - Bramley Buffaloes, Essex Eels and Carlisle Centurions.

Dark horses of the new contestants could be the Great Britain student side, the Academic Lions, coached by former Hull KR boss Gary Wilkinson.

"The demand to take part in the tournament this year has been unprecedented, and all the teams know they have ten teams breathing down their neck wanting to take their place," said tournament director Stefan Hopewell.

"We have attracted a smorgasbord of teams from around Europe to take part in what is turning into the event of the summer. We are more than confident that this year's tournament will be the best yet."

Hopewell added that several of the teams involved are set to take part in the second leg of the Rugby Grand Prix, which takes place in France in September.

"We've managed to sign up four of the teams for Lezignan who are taking part in the York 9s, which leaves us with only four places left to fill," he said. "Several of the teams taking part in the York 9s have expressed an interest in taking part in the Lezignan-Corbieres 9s, and it will be great to see them taking part in both Grand Prix events."

York 9s line-up: FC Lezignan-Corbieres (France), SO Avignon (France), Les Hussards de Paris (France), Montpellier XIII (France), Strela Kazan (Russia), West Indies, South Asia Bulls, Royal Air Force, British Army, York Ironsides, York RUFC, Worcester Saints, Carlisle Centurions, Edinburgh Eagles, Royal Navy, Lancaster, Cambridge Eagles, Glasgow Bulls, Bramley Buffaloes, Bristol Sonics, Newcastle Knights, Academic Lions, Essex Eels, York University.

Updated: 10:42 Monday, March 29, 2004