Gareth Thomas earned 100 Welsh Rugby Union caps

York City Knights hope to name a strong side to face Super League's Crusaders in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The Welsh side have confirmed they will include former Wales rugby union captain Gareth Thomas in their squad.

Knights coach James Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York he hoped Chris Thorman would be fit for the game after struggling with an injury.

"He has a massive influence on what we want to do," he said.

Thorman was injured in the league defeat at Doncaster along with Brett Waller.

However, Ratcliffe said the game will come too soon for the prop forward.

It's a no-pressure game. We're not expected to win so we should be able to go out and enjoy ourselves James Ratcliffe

"Brett Waller isn't going to make it. We'd have liked him to but we're going to side with caution and look at the bigger picture and have him for league work rather than the Challenge Cup.

"But there's going to be a couple more changes aside from that. I'm going to give a couple of guys another chance."

Ratcliffe admitted the game will be a big challenge for his part-time squad against some of rugby league's big name players.

"It's going to be a massive challenge for our lads but it's a challenge that I think we're all looking forward to.

"I'm certainly looking forward to putting myself against Super League opposition and the players should be likewise.

"It's a no-pressure game. We're not expected to win so we should be able to go out and enjoy ourselves.

"We'll certainly be going out to give our all."

The game kicks off at 1500 BST on 18 April at the Huntington Stadium.

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