Andy Riley could not have wished for a tougher start to his first year as Bradford team captain.

He goes into his opening match against York at Northcliffe on Sunday minus at least ten players who would almost certainly have started the match.

The Brabazon Trophy at Royal Birkdale is the fly in the ointment as the Ghyll member follows in the footsteps of Tim Wade, who stepped down last season.

And, more importantly, it means Riley is likely to be without home club trio Gareth Evans, Simon Bell and Martin Bell, who would have been vitally important on what is a testing course.

Evans and Simon Bell are bidding to qualify for the later stages of the competition, while Martin is going along to support his son.

Richard Wheatley, of Bingley St Ives and West Bradford's Darryl Berry are also at the Brabazon, while Martin Foster (Bradford Moor) and Phil Wood (Keighley) are unavailable.

"It's not the ideal way to start as captain," admitted Riley. "It looks as though I may even have to play myself!

Riley was a regular in the team up until last season, when he failed to make an appearance, but added: "I am playing quite well at the moment and would expect to make two or three appearances this year.

"I will generally not be making any major changes to the line-up. We have a great bunch of lads and I am quietly confident we will have a good season.

"Sheffield are obviously the team to beat and we face them in the last fixture of the year.

"Hopefully if we can get the right results to still be in contention for the Yorkshire Inter-Union title, it will set it up nicely."

Riley will have former Bradford Open champion Foster available for selection this year, and Northcliffe youngster Andy Town is also expected to get a regular place in the side.

Bradford team: A Dufton (Woodhall Hills), A Utley (Keighley), R Simpson (West Bowling), N Harker-Bell (Bradford Moor), D Beever (Baildon), M Roche (Baildon), J Firth (Northcliffe), A Town (Northcliffe), G Evans (Northcliffe), K Curran (South Bradford), D Woodcock (Cleckheaton), A Riley (Ghyll).