YORK City Knights were beaten 21-6 by Toulouse Olympique in round one of the 2021 Betfred Championship in their first competitive match at the LNER Community Stadium.

Here’s five things we learnt from the match.

1. York City Knights’ errors prove costly

The immediate post-match consensus was that consistent errors by York were to blame. So regularly handing chances to the side widely predicted to win promotion this year was always going to prove costly.

Against some of the division's lesser sides, the Knights may well have been able to get away with such mistakes but, if they are to overcome their fellow top-of-the-table challengers, they need to be quickly eradicated.

2. Injury problems continue for York

Even within the opening few rounds of competition action this year, the number of players suffering injuries seems to have substantially risen and that rise in injuries was certainly evident on Saturday.

The entirety of the first-half had not even been completed by the time that Junior Vaivai and Latrell Schaumkel for Toulouse and Jordan Baldwinson and Danny Kirmond for York were forced off the field.

It only adds to York's short-term injury list, which already contained Chris Clarkson, Kriss Brining and Marcus Stock.

3. Patience needed for spine to gel

Brendan O’Hagan continues to look like an inspired signing from York and his kicking display was one of the positives York can take from their defeat.

As the dominant kicker though, fellow half Riley Dean was a little under-used and didn’t see as much ball-in-hand as he would liked.

It should not be forgotten though that debutant Dean was made unavailable by parent club Warrington Wolves for the Betfred Challenge Cup ties at the beginning of the season.

York haven’t had the same full-back or half-back trio so far in 2021 and Dean will again be missing against Wigan Warriors this week. It is far from ideal and a consistently playing trio should ensure York’s attack can fire more fluently.

4. Excitement continues to build around fans entrance to the LNER Community Stadium

Saturday afternoon was in many ways the idealistic dream of those who forced the switch to summer rugby around 25 years ago.

An exciting expansion team in Toulouse taking on a high-flying York side at their modern new home stadium in glorious sunshine.

The entertaining spectacle on show for 80 minutes whetted the appetite for the introduction of supporters to the Monks Cross ground for the first time - currently scheduled from May 17.

But even more so was the warm-ups, with both sides creating a huge amount of noise ahead of kick-off. While some new grounds can feel hollow, the Community Stadium looks as if it may buck that trend with its small, tight and compact stands and what an atmosphere that could well create. Roll on May 17.

5. Great start by Joe Porter

Porter was named as The Press’ Star Man after a series of strong carries and the sheer minutes he managed after forwards Baldwinson and Kirmond were forced off early on. A tireless runner throughout 2021, his form has been very encouraging.