BEN DENT is expecting to be starstruck at Langtree Park tonight as he takes his rugby league eduction to another level.

Five years ago, the German-born former boarding school pupil barely knew what the 13-a-side code was, but now he’ll be lining up against Super League champions St Helens in the sixth round of the Challenge Cup.

He’ll have little brother Adam alongside him, too, as boss James Ford again puts his trust in youth.

Since moving permanently to England aged 18 and giving rugby league a go with amateurs New Earswick, Dent the elder has risen through the Knights’ reserves ranks to become the club’s top-scorer last season and named in the Championship One Team of the Year.

“Growing up, I was always around football,” said Dent, whose dad was in the Forces based near Hanover. “Living in Germany, I didn’t know what rugby league was about until I was 18.

“We’re now playing the champions of England. I played against Catalans in the cup a couple of years ago but we went there with largely an under-20s team. It doesn’t get much bigger than Saints.

“I’m pretty optimistic about the game. We’re going there to play.

“They’ve got the likes of Mose Masoe so you get a bit starstruck on the field. It’s brilliant, though. It lifts you. You want to get into them and see if you can compete with the best.”

Outside of rugby, Dent, who was taught at Queen Ethelburga’s independent school near York, now works at York Hospital making chemotherapy drugs.

He added: “I’ve always wanted to play sport full-time, whether it’s football, rugby league, rugby union, squash, badminton. Rugby league is a passion and I’d love to go that way if it was possible... but I also do like my job.”

Saints have named a few fringe players in their 19-man squad tonight, but Dent thought it mattered little to the occasion.

“You’d rather play against all the higher-profile names, but no matter who’s in their team, they’re going to be good aren’t they,” said the 23-year-old.

“Maybe if they play a couple of under-19s it might give us more opportunity to stay in the game - though I’m sure they’ll want to prove otherwise.

“With Mose Masoe and Kyle Amor in there, they’ll want to get over the top of us using brute strength. They’re big, athletic, strong, fast - that’s what full-time is. Hopefully we can put a bit of skill on and go past them.”

Adam Dent gets a recall tonight as winger Nev Morrison is unavailable due to family reasons.

“I love playing with him,” said Ben of his brother who has likewise come through the youth system.

“I just know what he’s going to do before he does it. It’s the same for Pat and Ed Smith with them being brothers.

“Adam’s a good player. He reads the game really well. He’s quick but he also knows what’s going to happen so he’s already there anyway.”

Asked who’s better, he joked: “Older brothers are always better - just ask Pat. Adam’s not far behind, though.”

As for the Knights’ goals tonight, he said: “We just want to get the respect from higher-league clubs and show we’re a decent team. We don’t want to be kicking to touch and walking to scrums just to run the clock down and keep the score down.

“Rugby league isn’t like that - it’s not boring. We want to go there and attack. That’s what rugby league is about... and a bit of defence as well. Being full-back, I have a feeling I might have to do a bit of defence.”