BOOTHAM Crescent will host international rugby league this autumn and York City Knights coach James Ford will be on duty, as England Academy's new assistant coach.

Ford will be working under returning national academy head coach Dave Elliott during Test matches against France and Australia Schoolboys with a 27-man National Performance Squad having been selected in preparation for the four end-of-season contests.

The Bootham Crescent Test match will see France visit North Yorkshire on Saturday, October 20 and a proud Ford admitted: "It's an honour to join the international set-up and I'm very proud to be involved in helping the development of the country’s top young talent.

"It's an exciting challenge and one that I feel will also have many benefits for York City Knights. I'm looking forward to working with some highly-regarded coaches who I’m sure will facilitate my development too."

Ford will work under Elliott along with former England and Bradford Bulls player and current London Broncos assistant coach Jamie Langley, who is also a new addition to the training team.

Hailing the double celebration of Ford's call-up and the hosting of an international, Knights chairman Jon Flatman added: "I'm delighted for James and his new role.

"It's a big accolade to be involved in the national team at any level and he will bring a lot to the table. His commitment to his personal improvement is second to none.

"It is testament to the brilliant work he has done at York City Knights and it is great to see the club represented on the national stage. We're really excited to host England Academy and France at Bootham Crescent later this year and will do everything we can to make it a fantastic event!"

Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors both have six players in the provisional academy squad, while St Helens have four players named and the City of Hull Academy three.

Widnes Vikings and Huddersfield Giants also have two players selected, while Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers are providing one representative apiece.

Betfred League 1 outfit Bradford Bulls have also had two players called up.

Four players who featured in the 2017 Academy test series against France - Cameron Scott and Jack Brown (City of Hull Academy) and Harry Smith and Joe Shorrocks (Wigan Warriors) are included - whilst all other players named are debutants.

Scott also made his first-team debut for Hull FC during Sunday’s Dacia Magic Weekend at St James’ Park, Newcastle.

Coach Elliott, meanwhile, was in charge of the academy side between 2010 and 2012, leading them to a historic victory over the Australian Schoolboys during his first year as head coach.

The York game will be England's second against France, following a first meeting at Bradford's Provident Stadium on Wednesday, October 17.

They will then tackle Australian Schoolboys at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday, December 8 and at the Emerald Headingley Stadium seven days later.

The squad will now meet several times over the course of this year before the final party to face France and Australian Schoolboys is confirmed.

Provisional National Performance Squad: Ben Davies (Widnes Vikings), Cameron Scott (City of Hull Academy), Corey Johnson (Leeds Rhinos), Elliot Wallis (City of Hull Academy), Eribe Doro (Warrington Wolves), Ethan Harvard (Wigan Warriors), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Innes Senior (Huddersfield Giants), Jack Broadbent (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Brown (City of Hull Academy), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Jake Wingfield (St Helens), James McDonnell (Wigan Warriors), Joe Shorrocks (Wigan Warriors), Josh Simm (St Helens), Lewis Carr (Castleford Tigers), Louis McConnell (Leeds Rhinos), Louis Senior (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Smithies (Wigan Warriors), Oliver Wilson (Bradford Bulls), Owen Trout (Leeds Rhinos), Reece Hamlett (Wigan Warriors), Rowan Milnes (Bradford Bulls), Sam Walters (Widnes Vikings), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Nisbet (St Helens).