YORK City Knights have ushered in the new year by adding another international to the playing ranks.

Scott Fletcher, captain of the Great Britain amateur side, has joined the club from National Conference League giants West Hull.

Furthermore, former York Wasps half-back Scott Yeaman, who has been starring for another Hull-based amateur team, Skirlaugh, has also returned to Huntington Stadium.

Back-row forward Fletcher - who has twice been awarded the British Amateur Rugby League Association player-of-the-year gong, the highest individual accolade in the domestic amateur game - has signed a two-year deal with the Knights.

The 27-year-old, who has also had a spell with the Hull FC Academy, has won every honour in amateur rugby league and last summer captained the BARLA Great Britain side to a Test series win over the Australian Aboriginals.

He was likely to lead the GB side on their tour to the South Seas this year but instead decided to have a crack at the professional game with the Knights.

Knights player-coach Paul Broadbent, who knew Fletcher from his time at the Boulevard, said he had little doubt he could make the step up to the National League after a success-laden career in the amateur ranks, which has seen him star for Isberg Celtic and Skirlaugh as well as NCL champions West Hull.

"I know of him from the Hull FC Academy and I know he's got a very good reputation," Broadbent told the Evening Press.

"We've watched him play for BARLA Great Britain and were impressed with him.

"He's been down to training already and has fitted in well. He will be a good acquisition."

Broadbent also knew Yeaman from his time at the Hull FC Academy, with whom the Knights player-boss had a coaching role.

"I know what he can do," he said. "He's a half-back who likes to take them on and can be a danger every time he gets the ball in his hands."

The 21-year-old scored four tries in five starts, plus three appearances as substitute for the Wasps last season after joining in mid-January. He will not be available for the Challenge Cup tie against former club Skirlaugh on January 26 as he is cup-tied.

Updated: 11:47 Thursday, January 02, 2003