York Wasps will be part of a new experimental rugby league era when the Northern Ford Premiership gets underway on Boxing Day.

ON THE MOVE: Matt Lambert and Dan Potter, pictured in their York and Bramley days, will both be starting the season with different clubs - Lambert with Featherstone and York-based Potter with Dewsbury

Winter rugby was perceived as a failure, summer didn't work, so now the powers that be are trying the only option left open to them - combining the two.

If successful, it could prompt a complete return to the traditional winter season and the first indication of that will come on Sunday when the opening round of matches take place.

But the kick-off date is not the only change from last season.

A new top eight play-off format will replace the top five while the Trans-Pennine Cup is set for a re-birth.

It all adds up to an interesting campaign which could see the new millennium become the turning point for the sport.

Wasps coach Dean Robinson has always backed the winter start and he is also pleased to see the change in the play-off format.

Had it been the same last term York, who finished sixth, would have been in the end of season finale and in with a shot at the Grand Final. He said: "It gives another three sides the chance to get to the Grand Final and keeps the competition alive for longer. It gives another dimension to the league.

"Our mission, set by the players, is the top four. I believe we're capable of it.

"The only problem will be the strength in depth. If we can remain relatively injury free I see no reason why we can't achieve that mission then we have as good a chance as anybody of going all the way."

His positive outlook is a far cry from a couple of months ago when only three players were signed up, training was still on hold and all the club's 'star' names looked set to depart.

Though there was no way to keep Peter Edwards, Fata Sini, Rich Goddard, John Strange and Jamie Benn, the expected mass exodus was prevented, much to the delight of Robinson.

"Once a more realistic budget had been set it gave us more chance to at least maintain a competitive squad," he explained.

"But my belief is that we need to pick up a major sponsor which the club is working on and that would give me a bit more latitude to make sure we don't hit crisis point later in the season with a shortage of players.

"That is my main concern."

Obviously he is tipping York to make the play-offs but who does he believe are the other contenders for the leading places?

Robinson expects Leigh, Widnes and last season's champions Hunslet to be in the running but thinks Swinton and Doncaster - York's first opponents - could emerge as contenders.

Explaining his reasons, he said: "Leigh have kept more or less the same squad as last year which will be a big bonus in the early part of the season, while the rest of the clubs are gelling with new squads.

"I think they'll start the season hot and will be there or there abouts at the end of it.

"I think Hunslet will remain strong because they've got the strength in depth and have the financial means to retain a large squad.

"They did it last season and I'm certain one of their goals will be to do it this time round as well.

"Swinton have strengthened considerably in the close season and will be strong contenders and I think Widnes will be there as well because they've kept the nucleus of their squad.

"Also Doncaster because of the major signings they've made. But they're not proven and have to gel as a team so there has to be a question mark over how well they gel."

See Wasps section for player profiles, a fixtures list and a run down on this year's opposition.

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