"IF Rochdale can go there and win then we should be confident we can go there and win."

So declared head coach James Ford ahead of York City Knights' surprise play-off semi-final at League One money-men Toulouse Olympique next weekend.

The French big-guns went through the season unbeaten on a seemingly unstoppable march into the Championship in their first year back in British competition, only to be shocked 24-22 by Rochdale in last Saturday's top-two promotion final - a jaw-dropping result which saw the Hornets gain the first promotion place and Toulouse dumped into the semi-finals.

But, despite 44-6 and 46-16 defeats on their last two recent treks to Midi-Pyrenees, Ford has taken heart from Rochdale's success - especially as the Knights beat the Hornets in each of their three meetings this year.

"I think it was a surprise to everybody," admitted Ford of Saturday's result, most rugby league onlookers having expected York to be facing a semi-final at Spotland rather than the south of France.

"I've watched the game back and it was interesting to see how Rochdale set up to play. Hopefully we can learn from that.

"I do think Toulouse were harshly treated on the day in terms of some refereeing calls that went against them. But massive credit to Rochdale. They played with a lot of energy and tenacity and put bodies on the line.

"It shows Toulouse are beatable - and we've beaten Rochdale three times convincingly and made them look pretty average at times.

"If we put them under pressure, we know they make errors. We need to have enough energy and awareness about us to capitalise on them."

Asked about Toulouse's attacking threat, he said: "Look, they're a good team, there's no two ways about it. They've beaten us reasonably comfortably twice and we may need to do some things a bit differently in terms of how we set up to defend.

"But I believe we're a better team than Rochdale - we play better rugby and have better players - and if they can go to Toulouse and win then we should be confident we can go there and win."

He added: "I don't think Toulouse were complacent. I think Rochdale worked really hard and had a lot of energy, and you could see what it meant. We need to out-enthuse them in every area.

"They're big favourites for sure. But they were favourites last weekend as well and they lost their first game. Mentally where are they at now?

"Let's put them under pressure and see if we can rattle them a bit."

One difficulty the Knights face is getting all fit players available for the trip as the team are set to fly out from Manchester on Friday afternoon, meaning they will need to get time off work.

It is yet to be confirmed that even Ford himself can go. A tutor at Wakefield College during the week, he is hoping to teach that morning but be allowed to get cover for his afternoon classes, allowing him to rush off for the flight.

It is similar to York's previous trip at the end of July, at the height off the off-field strife when it was not known until late on that the match would go ahead. In the end, only 15 players could travel at short notice.

"At the moment we're not 100 per cent sure," said Ford when asked who would be available this time. "The boys are speaking to employers and we've had a few confirm they're available which is promising.

"We've been looking at flights and we're discussing with the company the Rugby Football League use to help organise these trips, and we're possibly flying from Manchester at 4.30pm.

"In that situation the lads can do work before 11am and that will hopefully appease one or two employers. We'll have to see."

The semi-final has been confirmed for 5pm (4pm UK time) on Saturday, being switched from the Stade Ernest Argeles, Toulouse's temporary ground in Blagnac this year, to their traditional Stade des Minimes closer to the city centre, which is currently being expanded to hold a 10,000 capacity.