YORK Wasps will get to play on the famous Headingley turf after it was confirmed their Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup third round tie will be staged at the home of Leeds Rhinos.

The Super League club have allowed amateur outfit Milford Marlins, who are based close to Headingley, to host their home tie against Wasps at the Test venue.

"It will be nice to play there - though it would be even nicer for the lads if we were playing Leeds there in the next round," said Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey.

"It's a big, wide pitch and hopefully York will survive on it better than the amateur side.

"I'm not too sure about the ground crowd-wise, as the atmosphere in such a big stadium might not be that good with fewer fans inside, but it will be nice for the players to play in such a place."

Milford play in division two of the National Conference League and it was feared their own ground might not pass the necessary requirements to stage such a tie.

The Rhinos are their local club and offered to stage the tie at Headingley, which will be no strange place for Milford coach Paul Cook, who is a former Leeds player.

Updated: 12:06 Monday, January 07, 2002