PLAYER-COACH Brendan Carlyle already has irons in the fire ahead of this weekend's York International 9s.

Carlyle is expected to name his York Ironsides squad for the eagerly anticipated festival within the next 24 hours.

However, Carlyle has already revealed former York Wasps hooker Alan Pallister will captain the team, featuring the top players from the York area's amateur rugby league scene.

The squad will also feature Marcus Allen and Wayne Foster, who like Carlyle hail from Heworth RL, and Acorn's Johnny Waldron.

Those three players and their coach were all on duty yesterday as the Ironsides unveiled the eye-catching strip they will be wearing in the tournament.

A link up between Jarvis, the railway maintenance company, and the Canterbury Rugby shop in Grape Lane has ensured the Ironsides will be dressed to impress as they begin their assault on the Fairfax Cup.

Pallister, now with New Earswick All Blacks, was a professional with York for more than ten years and his leadership skills and experience will be essential in this weekend's tournament.

Carlyle, who was captain of the Ironsides in last year's tournament, said: "Alan is a great leader and will organise the players well on the field.

"As an ex-professional, he has a wealth of experience and commands a lot of respect from his fellow players."

Last year, the Ironsides were defeated by eventual winners London Koogas in extra time of their semi-final, and this year they want to go all the way.

They have been drawn in group one alongside much-fancied newcomers Carlisle Centurions, who draw players from the top amateur teams in Cumbria, and fellow home team York Rugby Union Club, whom the Ironsides will play in the opening fixture of the tournament at 10.30am on Saturday.

Carlyle, whose side are expected to progress through to the knock-out stages, which begin at 1pm on Sunday afternoon, is eager to erase the painful memories of last year's last-four defeat and says his team is now stronger.

"The team took that defeat pretty badly," said Carlyle. "We were very unlucky last year, but we can go one step further this year and make amends for the defeat."

The strip was handed over to Carlyle by Andrew Martin, on behalf of Jarvis, and Richard Bradbury, of Canterbury Rugby shop.

Updated: 10:59 Tuesday, June 17, 2003