YORK City Knights will be without first-team regular Matt Garside and reigning reserves player of the year Jordan Rice for three weeks this summer as both head down under on the Great Britain & Ireland Students’ upcoming tour.

The Knights duo, along with York-born Sheffield Eagles starlet Pat Smith, from Dringhouses, have been named in the Academic Lions party that will embark on the trip to Australia on June 23.

The tourists will play three test matches against the Australian Universities, the first as an exhibition game in Bali, along with a game against an Australian Northern Territories select side.

Knights boss Dave Woods – who was leaving it late to name his squad for tomorrow night’s televised Championship clash at Batley – said the pair would be missed, but that it was great they got this opportunity.

Garside will be away for league matches against Dewsbury, Batley and Toulouse.

“It’s about their development,” said Woods. “It’s good for them and we can’t stand in their way. We need to be doing what’s right for the players.

“We’ll miss them but I think that, for them personally, it’s a great achievement and something they should be proud of.”

Second-row-cum-centre Garside, 20, goes to Northumbria University, back-rower Rice studies in Hull and hooker or half-back Smith, the 21-year-old former New Earswick All Blacks junior, is at Hallam University in Sheffield.

Rice, who turned 21 this month, is the only one of the three yet to sample Championship level rugby.

Woods said of him: “We were going to take Jordan to France with us (for the game in Toulouse last month) but he was with Scotland Students at that time.

“He’s one of the players knocking on the door but he’s not consistent enough just yet for the high level we’re playing at. This year will do him the world of good.”

Former Millthorpe School and York College student Smith has featured three times for Sheffield’s first team after signing from Hull FC’s academy in the winter. The Knights had been monitoring him but he chose the Eagles given he lives and studies there.

He and Garside played as the Academic Lions lost both tests to their touring Aussie counterparts in December.

Smith said: “The first game was close but they blew us away a bit in the second match.

“I’m looking forward to going over there and giving them another shot. We’ve got a pretty strong squad.”

The trio, meanwhile, need to find sponsors to help fund their trip. They each have to raise £1,500.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Smith can phone him on 07929 641350.

To help the Knights pair, phone the club on 01904 767404.