York Knights and York Valkyrie name squads with hooker set to debut

REMI Wilton is set to make her York Valkyrie debut tomorrow afternoon.

The Valkyrie will hope to maintain their 100 per cent record in 2024 with a trip to newly-promoted Barrow Raiders (2pm), following last weekend's nail-biting clash with St Helens.

Lindsay Anfield has made two changes to her preliminary squad, with former Canberra Raiders captain Wilton in line for her Valkyrie debut after joining the club yesterday.

Utility Ellie Hendry is back in contention, with Bettie Lambert and Georgia Taylor dropping out - the latter after being named in Wales' squad as they begin qualification for the 2026 Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile, Nikau Williams is in line to make his long-awaited return as York Knights head to Batley Bulldogs in Round Six of the Betfred Championship on Sunday (3pm).

The Kiwi half-back has featured just once in the competition so far, having been handed a lengthy four-match ban after a Grade E Dangerous Contact charge in their opening match at Doncaster last month.

He is the only change to Andrew Henderson’s preliminary squad, replacing former Heworth youngster Charlie Severs, who is unavailable through HIA protocols following a tackle during the first half of last weekend’s win against Bradford Bulls.

Forward Jacob Gannon is in contention despite limping from the field last weekend, however fellow loanee Tom Nicholson-Watton is instead expected to feature for parent club Leeds Rhinos.

York Valkyrie squad to face Barrow Raiders: Andrade, Bell, Eastwood, Gale, Gentles, Hendry, Hetherington, Izumi, Kershaw, Marshall, Owen, Partington, Renouf, Rihari, Roberts, Sanderson, Sharp, Stanley (c), Stimpson, Wilton, Wood.

York Knights squad to face Batley Bulldogs : Bailey, Brown, Daley, Field, Fitzsimmons, Gannon, Harris (c), Harrison, Hingano, Jubb, Keinhorst, Lineham, Michael, Pemberton, Reynolds, Ta’ai, Teanby, Thompson, Towse, Ward, Williams.