YORK City Knights will not be in a dual-registration partnership with Hull Kingston Rovers this season.

There had been mixed messages coming out of Hull KR in the autumn regarding whether the partnership that began two years ago would continue into 2019.

But despite both clubs' coaches publicly suggesting over the past 22 months that the positives outweighed the negatives, it is now understood that, as had become expected, the rolling one-year agreement has been severed.

It is unclear if either club will partner up elsewhere this year.

Aside off-field tie-ups, the dual-reg system primarily allows Super League players, when not picked for their parent club, to turn out for a partner team in the Championship or League One.

The Knights used seven Hull KR players in their title-winning 2018 League One campaign, six on dual-reg, although only two - Matty Marsh (12 appearances) and Will Oakes (10) - were available for the run-in having made the requisite five appearances prior to the cut-off point.

Jordan Walne (six) and Josh Johnson (six) would also have been eligible but instead went on loan to Leigh just before transfer deadline day.

Will Dagger (four) and James Donaldson (one) were others to feature on dual-reg, while Kieren Moss played 10 times on loan from the Robins early in the year - notching 14 tries, including a Knights record seven in a match in the world record 144-0 victory over West Wales Raiders - before being recalled by his parent club and later going on loan to Halifax.

Marsh has since signed permanently for York, while Walne has joined Barrow and Donaldson has switched to Leeds Rhinos. Aussie full-back Moss has returned down under.

Knights chairman Jon Flatman was unavailable for comment.

Trade paper League Express reported that Rovers' hierarchy had "instructed coach Tim Sheens to trim his playing squad meaning York were less likely to have players at their disposal". This has not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Knights have announced a new corporate partnership with York's Theatre Royal, with hospitality now on sale for the opening match of the Championship season, against Toronto Wolfpack.

Supporters can get a reception and two-course Sunday meal at the theatre followed by match tickets and admission to the directors' box and directors' lounge at Bootham Crescent.

For details and prices, phone the Knights on 01904 876850 or email info@yorkcityknights.com