Chris Thorman will rekindle an old master-and-apprentice affiliation tomorrow as York City Knights look to build on their brilliant start to the season – only this time on opposing sides, and in a new sphere.

Thorman was a young reserve half-back starting out in rugby league at Sheffield when Mark Aston was the Eagles’ on-field general leading them to Challenge Cup glory in 1998.

The controversial Super League merger the following year between Sheffield and Huddersfield saw the pair go separate ways. As apprentice, Thorman carved out a career with the Giants, going on to grace top-flight rugby for a decade before coming to the Knights as player/assistant-coach, while master Aston helped to build a new club in the steel city, being captain, player-manager, coach and chief executive at the Don Valley, before reverting once more to head coach.

Now the pair will lock horns for the first time since that 1999 merger, and it will be a battle of minds, too, as Thorman is also following Aston into the coaching realm, having taken on the caretaker role at Huntington Stadium during boss James Ratcliffe’s suspension.

“Mark Aston was the first player I looked up to,” admitted Thorman ahead of tomorrow’s Northern Rail Cup tie.

“He was there while I just was a kid learning my trade. He was playing at scrum-half in Super League and getting them to the Challenge Cup final.

“He was a really good player and he was also always giving really good advice.”

Thorman’s first decision – along with assistant-coach Mick Ramsden – ahead of the match was to keep the same 17 that shocked Leigh in last week’s opener.

But Thorman has warned them that Sheffield, who, like the Centurions, have designs on the Championship play-offs, will provide them with one of their toughest away days of the year.

“They’re another top team in the division above and they’ve got a good home record,” he said. “Don Valley is always a tough place to play. Their half-backs are pretty good and they’re very strong in the outside backs.

“But the boys are looking forward to it. I’ve said to them, ‘let’s be concerned with what we do again’. It’s the same as with the Leigh game – let’s worry about our performance, not theirs.”

Kris Peacock or Mark Applegarth will be 18th man. Thorman added: “We’ve gone with the same 17 as it would have been unjust if we dropped anyone.”

Aston, meanwhile, will give a debut to Samoan international winger Misi Taulapapa, who was signed from Cronulla Sharks.

Prop Michael Haley and pivot Aaron Groom face late tests after picking up knocks in last week’s 18-18 draw at Featherstone, but former top-flight front-rower Mitch Stringer will be available after escaping a ban at a Rugby Football League disciplinary hearing having been put on report for an alleged dangerous tackle in that game.

Aston said: “York got a great result against Leigh – they’re on a high and we’re in for a tough game.

“They have brought in good players, like Danny Hill from Widnes and Joe McLocklan from Featherstone, and Chris Thorman has one of the best kicking games I’ve seen.

“He’s got great hands and when he takes the line on he’s dangerous. I’m surprised he’s not still in Super League.”

Sheffield (possible): Woodcock, Taulapapa, Mossop, Ropati, Thackeray, Lindsay, McDonald, Howieson, Cook, Stringer, Szostak, Corcoran, Exton. Subs: from Groom, Barlow, Haley, Rowe, Bergin.

Knights: Ratcliffe, Wilson, Mitchell, Waterman, Reittie, Thorman, Bromilow, Freer, McLocklan, Benson, Hill, Ross, Blakeway. Subs: Stamp, Barrow, Clough, Waller.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham). Kick off: 3pm.