FORMER York Wasps boss Lee Crooks is to coach rugby league in the Minster city again.

This time, though, he will be wanting to gun down York.

He is to take charge of the British Army team which is to compete at the York Golden Jubilee RL Festival at Heworth on Bank Holiday Monday.

And his recruits have been drawn to face York Ironsides - the select all-York outfit - in the group stages.

The ex-Great Britain and Hull legend, who fostered links with the Army during his time at Huntington Stadium, took his new charges to Heworth last night for a training session, after which the players assisted the club with gardening and painting work ready for the event.

Meanwhile, the unique squad featuring players from South Asian communities across the country, who will play in the inaugural 16-team York Nines tournament, has been unveiled

The South Asia Bulls team has been formed by ex-England international Ikram Butt, Bradford Council's RL development officer.

The team has been formed as part of a long-running campaign to combat racism and provide role models. The campaign aims to build bridges across different communities through rugby league.

The Bulls are one of only two invitation teams to feature in the day-long tournament, the other being the York Ironsides.

There is only one player of Asian origin currently playing in the professional game, out of about 750, although black players have a better record of representation.

Golden Jubilee nines tournament director Lionel Hurst, the former London Broncos supremo, said: "The tournament is all about encouraging rugby league's development. I was delighted when Ikram agreed to pull together a squad for the competition."

Tonight's fixtures

RUGBY LEAGUE

Northern Ford Premiership (all 7.30pm): Gateshead v Sheffield, Hunslet v Huddersfield, Workington v Whitehaven.

RUGBY UNION

International: Wales v Barbarians (at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 7.15pm).

Updated: 12:15 Wednesday, May 29, 2002