LEEDS Rhinos legend Barrie McDermott will lead a team in this year's York International 9s rugby league tournament.

The charismatic former Great Britain prop, who is now with Widnes Vikings and played against York City Knights last month, will form a team known as the Ambassadors, whose first public appearance will be at the nine-a-side festival to be held at Heworth ARLC on Saturday, July 15.

None of their players have yet been confirmed to the media, but McDermott says they will include big names from rugby league, and the Press understands that former Wigan, Leeds and Great Britain great Gary Connelly, who has been playing rugby union for Munster after retiring from league, may be among them.

"The Ambassadors will have some real household names in its ranks," said McDermott. "We mean to lift the Fairfax Cup at the first attempt. I know the other sides are very strong but they will have to be to overcome my boys."

McDermott, who is on the coaching staff at Leeds, staved off retirement to play in National League One for Widnes. The Vikings will be among the favourites to reach the National League's Northern Rail Cup final on the same weekend as the York 9s but McDermott is adamant he will not miss the festival.

He said: "The whole concept of the York Festival appeals to me. It is the perfect stage to showcase rugby league's many attributes and to encourage the development of the sport throughout Europe."

The Ambassadors' kit has already been made by league rugby equipment manufacturer KooGa.

McDermott added: "The Ambassadors name has been chosen to convey the idea of delivering the message of rugby league throughout the sporting world.

"The logo of the handshake of friendship is to emphasise how this great game can cross international borders and bring people together from all backgrounds, nationalities and walks of life in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect."

Festival chairman Neal Coupland said: "When we first put the idea to Barrie, the instant response was positive and professional and the perfect catalyst to raise the York event to new heights."

The Ambassadors will be managed by Chris Gibson - a former Leeds and York player and chairman of McDermott's testimonial year at Leeds Rhinos last season.

He said: "The interest from sponsors and players has been excellent and is testament to the universal and unique appeal that Barrie McDermott's name has in the sporting world."

This will be the fifth York 9s and Liz Topi, City of York Council's events officer, said: "The standards of skill and entertainment are set to rise dramatically this year. The high quality of entrants in the Fairfax Cup is without precedent.

"The City of York Council is very pleased to be involved in the continual increase in stature of the York Festival."

The York International 9s will take place on the weekend of July 15-16 at Heworth. The main Fairfax Cup competition will be held on the Saturday a new event for development teams, playing for the Archbishop Dolben Cup, will be held on the Sunday.