YORK Acorn ARLC boss Leigh Paul-Rientoul is hoping Milford will have a false sense of security ahead of their National Conference League division one play-off showdown on Saturday.

Not only have Acorn lost two of their last three games since securing their semi-final spot - meaning they slipped to fifth in the standings and missed out on home advantage in the play-offs - but they have also been beaten in both encounters against the Marlins this year.

However, unlike in those contests, Paul-Rientoul travels with a full-strength side and with players hopefully fresh, rather than rusty, after a three-week break.

Said the Acorn head coach: "We've got every single player available. We've not had that all season.

"If we're not good enough, then they'll be no excuses.

"Milford have a 4G pitch so they'll know how to play it but I think it will work in our favour as well. We don't suit sloppy, muddy fields.

"Last time we played there (a 28-12 defeat) we went with a weakened team and two stand-in half-backs.

"They went about 20 points up and while we clawed it back a bit we slipped off again.

"They haven't played our full-strength side though and I'd like to think we can do a job on them.

"They might even be thinking, 'We've beaten this lot twice this season' and they might be a bit cocky, but they're not going to know about our best team."

Normanton Knights and Lock Lane played their play-off last week - Normanton reaching next weekend's final at Widnes with a 16-9 victory.

The Blue and Golds, conversely, have had two weekends off, the first due to the Super League Grand Final.

They had pencilled in their York & District Cup final against New Earswick last week but All Blacks, who are now out of season, did not want to play.

Nevertheless, several Acorn players blew off cobwebs for a York & District XIII in a fixture at Hull & District - the hosts winning 36-10 to lift the Johnny Whiteley Cup presented by the Hull FC legend himself.

"A few lads had a run so that was a bit of a blow-out to keep ticking over," said Paul-Rientoul.

"I don't know why the other semi-final was last week yet ours wasn't. But it has given our lads extra time to rest some niggling injuries. It's the same for Milford. It should be a good game."

Normanton's victory means if Acorn win it will set up a repeat of the 2015 final on the same ground, which the Blue and Golds won.

"That would be a good omen, wouldn't it," said Paul-Rientoul. "That pitch is 4G as well so this weekend's game could get us ready for that too."

Meanwhile, this year's York & District Cup final now seems likely to be played at the start of next season.

The 2018 competition could well be expanded, too.

Amid meetings aplenty and the apparent re-growth of the York & District association, satellite clubs Selby Warriors, Wetherby Bulldogs, Scarborough Pirates and Brotherton could all be reintroduced into the tournament, adding to the four York clubs - Acorn, Heworth, New Earswick and Lokomotive.

Heworth did not compete this year either but new rules around selection for the East v West 'State of Yorigin' match and the York & District touring teams as of next year - whereby if clubs don't play in the local cup their players may not be allowed to play representative rugby - could help persuade them to rejoin. Those discussions are ongoing.

Selby host Featherstone Lions in Pennine League division two east on Saturday. The Warriors slipped to fourth after last week's 26-16 defeat at home to Methley Royals.