A NEW dimension will be added to the forthcoming York 9s tournament with the news it will include an England v Scotland international fixture.

The rugby league festival - which will see 26 club teams from all over the world battle over two days for the Fairfax Trophy, plus 20 local junior teams play for the Marston Moor Cup - will now also comprise the clash between the old enemies.

England amateurs, selected from the Summer Conference, will take on their Scottish counterparts on the first evening of the festival, with the clash being the opening encounter of the 2003 amateur Home Nations Tournament.

It will be played at Heworth ARLC, kicking off at 5pm on Saturday, June 21, following the completion of the York 9s tournament action that day.

That nine-a-side competition, which will feature a select York Ironsides team as well as a team from York RU club, will continue on the Sunday.

The Home Nations Tournament was played for the first time last year and was deemed a great success, with Wales defeating England in Cheltenham for the title on the final weekend of the tournament.

The clash at Heworth is expected to draw another big crowd to see England, who defeated Scotland in Glasgow last summer, embark on their title chase.

The Scots, though, will be in York in considerable numbers over the weekend to support not only their international side but also the two Scottish teams playing in the York 9s.

There will be more than 90 rugby league games played over the weekend of the York International 9s Festival, including the York 9s main event, the Marston Moor Cup for juniors and now this International fixture.

The Home Nations will continue throughout the summer and will finish over the weekend of August 9.

"The England v Scotland international is a welcome addition to the York 9s Festival weekend," said tournament director Jeremy Coupland.

"Not only will we see nine-a-side teams from around Europe battle for the Fairfax Cup, we will see two of sport's oldest rivals compete in what will be an enthralling contest.

"It all adds to what is a very interesting mix of games and participants over the weekend of June 21/22.

"I am sure the people of York will turn out in droves to see some great rugby, of both 13-a-side and of nine-a-side."

Teams in the main competition will be coming from all over Great Britain as well as places as varied as Russia, France, Ireland and Holland, while there will also be Asian and Caribbean representation through the South Asia Bulls and West Indies Exiles.

London KooGas was be looking to defend the trophy they won last year in the inaugural York International 9s, when they beat favourites FC Lezignan-Corbieres in the final.

Updated: 12:04 Monday, June 09, 2003