HEAD coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul says the return of Matt Chilton to York Acorn ALRC is a huge boost to their Challenge Cup hopes - and he's not the only fillip either.

Chilton has enjoyed an excellent trial at pro neighbours York City Knights but, given the players in front of him for the full-back role at the League One club, it has been agreed the 19-year-old should continue his development in the Acorn ranks.

That starts this Saturday when the Blue and Golds host Askam in the first round of the prestigious old cup (2pm), as competitive action for 2018 gets under way in the amateur ranks.

Paul-Rientoul is happy to have him back, and has also been delighted with the form in training and warm-up action of the new front-rowers at the club, namely Ryan Price, a York lad who has been on Keighley Cougars' books, and Aussie Nathan Welsh, a soldier based at Catterick. Veteran Nic Caldwell is also back on the books, all meaning the loss of Tim Stubbs to Keighley Cougars is less heavily felt.

Said the Acorn boss: "It's a huge boost to have Matt in our team. I've watched him play for York and he did well, scoring three tries in three run-outs. He's only 19 as well and has got a lot to offer."

Of the props, he added: "I think Ryan had enough of the travelling (to Keighley) and he wanted to play amateur rugby regularly and, if he does well, maybe get a look in at York City Knights.

"Nathan came out of the blue. He's been to every training session. He's a big guy and very physical. When he first walked in and spoke with an Aussie accent I thought, 'You beauty!' In strength and conditioning he looked the part. I just thought, 'Please be able to catch a ball!

"They've both looked good for us and having Nic back is another boost. He's always a real handful and you can get a devastating 15-20 minutes out of him."

Acorn have also recruited Callum Worthington from Heworth and Tom Fitzsimmons, a York & District rep player, from Brotherton.

This weekend, though, they will be without Fitzsimmons, Tom Hill, whose two-match ban carries over from last season, and Ryan Gallacher, who has work commitments. Harry Bromwich also faces a late fitness test after taking a knock in last week's 32-0 friendly win over Skirlaugh.

The Blue and Golds, of National Conference League division one, will still be favourites against an Askam side who just missed out on promotion from division two last year, especially with home advantage, and especially after last week's victory against a team relegated from the premier division.

But Paul-Rientoul - again targeting a place in round three when League One clubs enter - has warned it will be far from straightforward.

"I've heard a few rumours they're looking good," he said of the Cumbrians. "They've got a new coach who's ex-Workington Town and I'd think that, although it's a long way to travel, they'll be up for it at the start of the season, with the players eager to play and impress.

"I think they're on the up and it'd be no surprise if they're pushing for promotion to our division."

But he added: "I'm confident. There's not really any such thing as a 'friendly' in rugby league and to win 32-0 against a team who were playing premier division last season is a big boost for us."