COACH Leigh Paul-Rientoul has spoken of the importance of keeping York & District Rugby League alive ahead of Saturday’s game against City of Hull & District.

A team comprising players from York Acorn, Heworth and New Earswick All Blacks host the side of Hull representatives at Thanet Road (2pm) in the Johnny Whiteley Cup.

It is of value, Paul-Rientoul believes, that Y&D events continue, with both the York & District Cup and East v West having suffered in recent years due to a lack of participants.

Paul-Rientoul said: “It’s keeping York & District ticking over.

“We have to be active and doing something because it’s been going a long time and it would be quite sad if it stopped. One event a year is better than nothing.”

He is, however, wary of interrupting teams’ league campaigns.

This game is essentially a trial to select a representative side for a tour of Ukraine in mid-June - which will also feature teams from Belarus and Lithuania - but places are highly sought-after and players will not be taking it easy.

Also a consideration is that players Joe Porter and Liam Jackson were both given trials by York City Knights after impressing on the Y&D scene.

Knights chairman Jon Flatman, head coach James Ford and half-back Ben Cockayne are expected to be in attendance on Saturday.

Paul-Rientoul said: “It’s about getting the lads out, getting a chance to play with each other and getting picked for this tour. Because it’s a trial game, they’ll give it everything they’ve got.

“We’re in the regular season now so it’s hard to put sessions on and the lads only end up meeting the night before the games. But a lot have played for York & District before and we keep it pretty simple.

“I don’t want to disrupt the clubs with training sessions because there’s nowt worse than hearing your players are going to be knackered for your club game.

“We’re going to see how this game goes and the response from the players. If we can, we’ll go straight into the training camp but if not, I’ll put another game on.

“We should do it at the end of the season really but by then the lads are battered and bruised, and it’s winter in Ukraine, minus 30 and snowing.”