FORMER club-mates turned foes Peter Fox and Marcus Bai were set to go head- to-head today as York City Knights take on Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

Fox, a former York Acorn ARLC junior who signed for the Knights after shining for the Rhinos' Academy last season, was to make his debut for his home-town club in the Bootham Crescent clash, which kicks off at 3pm.

And he was set to directly face fellow winger Bai, the Papua New Guinea international who racked up 26 tries in Super League last season as the Loiners charged to their first top tier title for the first time in 32 years.

Fox is pictured holding the Super League trophy, with Bai ready to take it from his grasp. The trophy and new Leeds signing Gareth Ellis were set to be paraded before the crowd at today's pre-season friendly.

Also expected to be in the Rhinos side are Willie Poaching, Wayne McDonald and Liam Botham, son of England cricket legend, Ian.

It will be the first game in charge of the National League Two club for former Rhinos Academy chief Mick Cook, who was seconded to the Knights from Headingley as part of the new partnership between the two clubs.

Updated: 09:59 Monday, January 03, 2005