Heworth starlet Dan Briggs will make his York Wasps debut tonight as coach Garry Atkins looks for one last show of pride from his beleaguered players.

The Wasps bring the curtain down on a dire season at Huntington Stadium with Atkins well aware it could be his final fling as coach - unless he wins the board's vote for the permanent role.

The clash with bottom club Lancashire Lynx could also be the last appearance in Wasps colours for several of the players.

And while victory over a club which has won just one game all season would hardly see them go out in a blaze of glory, Atkins claims it is better than the alternative.

"I thrashed into them a bit on Tuesday," said Atkins. "I told them they're playing for contracts next year and they're playing for pride.

"There is nothing worse than getting beaten by the bottom team who have only won one game all season.

"They have got to gain some respect, not from the supporters or the coaches but from their fellow players, so that they can say they were a good side or they tried their best. That's what I always wanted when I was a player.

"But recently teams have been laughing at us when we've been coming off.

"Whatever happens my pride is intact. I've done what I've done in my career and Corgi (assistant coach Stuart Horton) has done what he's done.

"We're not on the park. I've never been in a game where we've beaten by the rock bottom team. If they lose they're the ones who have got to go round town in York and live with it."

Injuries means Atkins will not be making many changes from the team which performed so poorly at Swinton on Sunday.

Briggs will be among the substitutes, along with fellow youngster Matt Mulholland who is recalled as the only back on the bench.

Briggs gets the nod following words of praise from Horton. Briggs played under Horton at Heworth and, after several weeks training with the Wasps, 'Corgi' believes the strong running forward has earned his chance.

Kevin Gray is named at full-back with Simon Irving switching to the centres to bolster a three-quarter line which sees Gareth Lloyd recalled on the wing.

Chris Hammerton has overcome his leg injury to retain his place at scrum-half.

In the pack, Andy Hill has recovered from the bruised ankle sustained against Swinton to line up in the second row alongside Craig Forsyth, who ousts Michael Smith to the bench.

Lancashire Lynx boss Maurice Bamford has called up teenager Chris Ramsdale,

son of club official Dennis, after the 18-year-old won three successive man-of-the-match awards for the Academy side.

Bamford has called up a host of amateurs since taking over from Steve Hampson but has been unable to turn around their dreadful season which has seen them score just 289 points in their 27 league games while conceding 1,347.