March spent time coaching in the National Conference League

York City Knights coach Paul March is preparing for a tricky opening game in this season's Challenge Cup.

The Championship one Knights are at home to National Conference Premier Division amateurs Wigan St Patricks in the third round.

March told BBC Radio York: "I know a lot about them having spent time with Thornhill. We played them a lot and there's some very good players there.

"We're going to have to be careful and make sure we do a professional job."

Live: BBC Radio York commentary

March said St Patricks have some ex-professionals in their ranks and they will bring an experienced squad.

"A lot of them play for their country so we'll have to be on top of our game. And if we don't it might be a potential banana skin," he said.

With that in mind, March said he will name a strong side for the game but he intends to make some changes as he continues to rotate his squad ahead of the start of the Championship One campaign.

"Just looking at the first league game it's three weeks away. Some players won't play this week so it'll be three weeks before their next competitive game so we're taking that into consideration," he said.

It's something special. It's the best knockout competition in the world to play in York City Knights coach Paul March

"But it'll be a very strong 17 out there and one that me and (director of rugby) James Ratcliffe will feel will do the job."

The Challenge Cup is a competition that holds good memories for March. He was part of the Huddersfield Giants squad that reached the final in 2006.

"I didn't play in that game due to injury but I played in all the games building up to that," he said.

"It's something special. It's the best knockout competition in the world to play in. It's one everybody wants to do well in."

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