ON-LOAN Neil Law has turned his back on Yorkshire in a bid to kick-start York City Knights' National Two campaign, the Evening Press can reveal.

Today Law, who is still contracted to Otley RUFC, should have been pulling on the White Rose jersey after being picked for the Yorkshire rugby union side for their County Championship opener against Warwickshire.

But the chance for another shot in the 13-a-side code with former team-mate and current Knights' player-coach Paul Broadbent was too good for the 28-year-old to turn down, forcing him to put off the county call for a year at least.

And tomorrow he will make his bow for the Knights against London Skolars at the Huntington Stadium.

"I've had to turn Yorkshire down with this coming up," Law told the Evening Press.

"This is a good opportunity for me to keep fit and active and a chance for me to play league again. I've another year at Otley so there is always next season for me to play for Yorkshire.

"My agent spoke to Peter Clegg (coach) at Otley and he was okay about me signing for the Knights during the summer, so hopefully I will go back in one piece. But the opportunity to play league again was too good to turn down.

"I've known Paul for a number of years and we played in the same Wakefield side last season. When I heard he had got the coaching job here, I thought this would be a good chance for another shot at league.

"The set-up here is fantastic, especially after everything that has gone on. I'm now looking forward to getting started."

This will be Law's second spell in league having played for Sheffield Eagles and Wakefield Wildcats in the Super League. A rugby introduction with Northampton RU and a later move to Otley RU book-ended that first spell in league.

And although his contract at Cross Green means he will return to union with Otley after just 12 games for the Knights, Law says he is a fan of rugby as a whole rather than either of the two codes.

"People say the two are getting closer, and in some respects they are, but both are still different," he said. "It is difficult to explain, but they are individual sports and it's hard to put one above the other.

"To me, I am a rugby player. I just enjoy playing rugby."

After a hectic union season, the arrival of National Two whipping boys Skolars should give Law the chance of a 'gentle' return to the league, although the pacy wideman is taking nothing for granted.

He added: "People have said it should be a gentle introduction, but I don't think it will be like that.

"They will be coming here with something to prove, so we will have to be on top of our game."

Updated: 10:12 Saturday, May 03, 2003