DEFENCE is the watchword for York City Knights as they prepare for arguably their biggest ever game on Friday when they tackle Challenge Cup holders St Helens in the fifth round.

The Super League giants yesterday had nine players named in the provisional 40-man squad for Great Britain with skipper Paul Sculthorpe given the captaincy.

That alone emphasises the gulf in quality between the Super League giants and National League Two.

Knights coach Mick Cook is determined to do everything he can to give his side a chance against one of the best attacking sides in the country.

He said: "I have watched their last two games against Huddersfield and Warrington and they are a difficult side to play against.

"They have got a lot of offloads and they have probably got the quickest play-the-balls in Super League so it's a real test of your defence and we will be working on that this week.

"There's not a lot we can change about the way we play and I don't think we need to. We just need to focus on our strengths and stay tight.

"The biggest problem we have got is containing them. They average about 30 or 40 points every week in Super League and they have a massive amount of dangerous players.

"They have got players like Paul Wellens with Ade Gardner on the wing, Paul Sculthorpe, Sean Long and Mick Higham so they really have got quality right across the board."

With regard to the number of players in the GB squad, Cook smiled: "We didn't have any in this time.

"I know they have got a lot of quality and this really emphasises that fact."

Competition for places in the Knights' 17 is also high.

Prop David Bates has served his doping suspension and could be in line for his first competitive outing in a Knights' shirt, while several others are knocking on the door after recovering from injuries.

All are gunning to break into - or stay in - a team that has won three on the bounce.

"There's going to be a lot of disappointed players," said head coach Mick Cook. "It's a big game and there will be a big crowd and everyone really wants to play.

"They all trained really hard last week and I expect they will be the same this week to try and make the cut."

Chris Ross is off the treatment table after his hamstring problem while Aussie second rower Simon Friend is determined not to let a broken finger keep him out of contention.

Young Knights fan Daniel Temple will be running out with the players on to the St Helens pitch on Friday night after being picked as the winner of the mascot competition. He correctly answered that Norris the Knight is the York City Knights mascot.

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, May 04, 2005