St John Ellis brings his star-studded Doncaster Dragons squad to Huntington Stadium tomorrow with a warning from York Wasps coach Lee Crooks.

The Dragons recorded an aggregate win of 106-9 in their two encounters against the Wasps last season. That included a 36-1 victory on the opening day of the Northern Ford Premiership campaign which was to prove an accurate indication of the way the season was to pan out.

While York finished second bottom, Doncaster comfortably reached the play-offs. However, Wasps chief Crooks is confident it will be a very different story this time round.

"We couldn't have asked for a tougher start but the players are ready to rise to the challenge," said Crooks. "Doncaster have made a couple more signings this year and will be one of the front-runners again but you can never say never.

"I believe if we play to our potential and give 100 per cent we will be there or thereabouts, but if one or two people have an off-day against a team like Doncaster we will struggle.

"It's got to be a united front out there. If we do that we can run them close and might even come away with a win. I am confident we have got players who can cause them problems."

The Wasps have lost their three pre-season matches while Doncaster suffered a surprise 18-10 defeat by Hunslet Hawks in their only warm-up game last weekend.

But those results are unlikely to have any bearing on the teams' chances this season.

The Dragons, coached by former York player Ellis, under-achieved last season and have strengthened considerably.

Although finishing third in the league, they crashed out of the play-offs after losing to Keighley in the Preliminary semi-final and Oldham in the Minor semi-final.

Among their new signings are centre Simon Irving, who played for York last season, former Featherstone forwards Brad Hepi and Maea David, Widnes half-back Paul Mansson and big forward Jamie Fielden, brother of Bradford's England star Stuart.

However, they have several injury doubts, including former Wasps hooker Peter Edwards.