RISING standards in the Northern Ford Premiership could give York Wasps the edge as they prepare for a French invasion tomorrow.

Although visitors Villeneuve Leopards are streaking away at the top of the French championship, Wasps coach Lee Crooks believes they could suffer from a lack of intensity in their competition.

That factor, coupled with the competitive nature of the NFP, should boost York's hopes of a place in the fifth round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup.

"Villeneuve would probably be about middle of the NFP but their league is a bit lower standard," said Crooks.

"They've got one or two decent sides but because they aren't playing decent sides every week it stops them being competitive, whereas in the NFP everyone potentially has the chance to beat everybody else.

"A lot of the sides are on an even keel and I think that will stand us in good stead."

The Wasps will be in the dark going into the Huntington Stadium clash as they have been unable to watch any footage of their foes.

A video which they had hoped to receive from France has not materialised so Crooks is concentrating only on the Wasps' performance - and his own experience.

"Having played against French international teams, if you get on top early doors they don't like the physical side of the game," said the former Great Britain prop.

"They like throwing the ball about and being flamboyant but they're not prepared to put hard work in and be patient, so we will try to raise the intensity."

Unlike the last round against amateurs Oulton Raiders, Crooks believes some of the pressure has been lifted for this encounter.

Villeneuve come to York with a high reputation and Crooks predicted: "There won't be as much pressure on the lads this week because most people won't be expecting us to win. They're coming across with a fairly high reputation.

"When we played Oulton we were in a no-win situation but this is a different sort of pressure. The lads have trained exceptionally well again this week and they seemed to be a bit more relaxed about it."

Crooks has made only minor changes from the side which lost to Featherstone last week. Ex-Villeneuve star Shaun Austerfield switches from second row to centre, Craig Moore reverts to the back row, Darren Crake goes in at prop, Spencer Hargrave moves to the second row and Gareth Dobson is given the loose forward shirt.

Explaining the moves, Crooks said: "We struggled last week with not having sufficient forwards on the bench to replace the two props.

"Darren Crake has gone up to prop because in the last two games he has looked potentially one of our best players going forward. He will give us a bit of impact up front and allow me to spell people like Craig Forsyth and Mick Hagan.

"Also Pally (Alan Pallister) has been struggling to get to acting half back so Gareth (Dobson) can fill in. It will give us two points of attack at acting half.

"Shaun's been playing well. He runs onto the ball very well and we can utilise him better out wide."

Chris Allen is still out with a burst blood vessel in his leg while Nathan Pincher and Lea Tichener are cup-tied.

Tomorrow's line-ups:

YORK Wasps: Darling, Butterfield, Austerfield, Lloyd, Oulton, Handley, Stephens, Forsyth, Pallister, Crake, Hargrave, Moore, Dobson. Subs (from): Rumford, Hagan, Mulholland, Hutchinson, Briggs, Waite.

Villeneuve Leopards: Van Snick, Perolari, Cornut, Vergniol, Dillinger, Frayssinous, Banquet, Doorey, Wulf, Durdevic, Meuller, Shead, Carassco. Subs: Collado, Sort, Hermet, Faqir.

Referee: Julian King (St Helens)

Kick-off: 3pm

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, February 10, 2001