FOR the sixth consecutive year, York City Knights begin their league season with a clash against one of the division’s promotion favourites.

Between 2017 and 2019, York were ditched against sides who would finish the season as promotion winners, facing Barrow Raiders, Bradford Bulls and Toronto Wolfpack respectively.

The Knights were twice pitted against Toulouse Olympique, who would secure a first appearance in Betfred Super League at the second attempt amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On this occasion, it is Featherstone Rovers who are first up for York and, with much justification, they are the bookmakers’ favourites to win promotion.

Last year, Featherstone played 23 regular season and play-off matches, winning all but two, both those being defeats to Toulouse.

To accuse Rovers of stage fright would appear harsh, particularly given their AB Sundecks 1895 Cup victory over York at Wembley Stadium, the grandest venue of all.

Head coach James Webster departed over the off-season but in Brian McDermott, one of the most successful British coaches of all time, Featherstone could scarcely have wished for a better replacement.

While the likes of James Harrison and Nu Brown have departed for Super League and Australia respectively, McDermott has recruited strongly.

The likes of Brandon Pickersgill, Morgan Smith, Ben Hellewell, Luke Briscoe and Matty Wildie all have past experience at the top of the Championship.

Complementing those well-established names are ex-NRL talents Joey Leilua, Ryley Jacks and Ben Mathiou as well as Jesse Sene-Lefao from Castleford Tigers.

Chairman Mark Campbell confirmed that Fev’s playing squad salaries surpass over £1million, making them by far one of the biggest spending second tier clubs.

York last won a round one match in 2016 and face an almighty battle to rectify that.