York Knights and Toulouse Olympique have named their squads for this Sunday’s Betfred Championship Grand Final, with the hosts naming a surprise inclusion for the showpiece event.

Led by Mark Applegarth, the Knights are currently on a 21-match win streak, and have been the standout team in the competition this year. The former Trinity boss picked up the Coach of the Year award, with three of their players taking up all the nominations.

Meanwhile Toulouse have once again been one of the competition’s top dogs, and managed to beat York at the start of the season, something that will give them confidence heading into Sunday’s fixture.

Both sides have named their preliminary 21-man squads, and of the 42 players selected, a huge 24 of them have played Super League at some point in their careers, with many more either playing representative rugby or emerging from elite-level academies, highlighting the standard on show in the second tier.

Here is all the team news for Sunday’s finale, as the top two sides in the second tier battle it out to become crowned the league’s best.

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Championship Grand Final squads confirmed:

York Knights Team News:

In what would be a rare moment in any sport, not just rugby league, the Knights could hand a debut out on Sunday, with former Hull KR and St Helens half-back Danny Richardson named in the squad for what would be his first York appearance. The Robins announced his initial exit in August, with a switch to North Yorkshire confirmed, however injuries have meant he is yet to make an appearance for the club.

The former of Ata Hingano and Liam Harris can’t be ignored though, and when you add in Toa Mata’afa, who can cover the halves or full-back it is hard to see Richardson earning a place in Sunday’s squad. However, he would bring quality and experience should they need to rely on him.

Richardson replaces Joe Brown in the initial squad, in what is the only change to Applegarth’s side from their semi-final win over Halifax Panthers.

York Knights 21-man squad: 1. Will Dagger, 3. Kieran Buchanan, 6. Ata Hingano, 7. Liam Harris, 8. Jack Martin, 9. Paul McShane, 10. Brenden Santi, 11. Jesse Dee, 12. Connor Bailey, 13. Jordan Thompson, 17. Ukuma Ta’ai, 19. Sam Cook, 20. Oli Field, 24. Harvey Reynolds, 25. Bailey Antrobus, 31. Kieran Hudson, 33. Mitch Clark, 34. Ben Jones-Bishop, 35. Scott Galeano, 36. Toa Mata’afa, 38. Danny Richardson

📜 21 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙

⚔️ The Knights 21 Player Squad has been confirmed, for this Sunday’s Betfred Championship Grand Final against @TOXIII (2pm KO)

🤝 Proudly sponsored by Choc Affair

🔗 More info here:https://t.co/1rNEVXd3UN

🎟️ Tickets are available here:… pic.twitter.com/fLQE1IaANQ

— York RLFC Knights (@YorkRLFC) October 3, 2025

Toulouse Olympique Team News:

Sylvain Houles remains unchanged after his side completed a second-half comeback over Bradford Bulls last week. After trailing 16-0 at the break, a try double from Olly Ashall-Bott helped them to a 24-20 victory and send the West Yorkshire club crashing out of the competition.

Toulouse play home to former Super League men including Joe Cator, formerly of Hull FC, Jake Shorrocks, formerly of Wigan Warriors and Rob Butler, formerly of London Broncos. Part of the side that reached Super League in 2022 remain at the club, and they will hope that those players can help guide the team as they hope to be chosen for Super League promotion next year.

Toulouse Olympique 21-man squad:  1. Olly Ashall-Bott, 2. Paul Ulberg, 3. Reubenn Rennie, 4. Mathieu Jussaume, 5. Paul Marcon, 7. Jake Shorrocks, 8. Lambert Belmas, 10. James Roumanos, 11. Maxime Stefani, 13. Anthony Marion, 14. Baptiste Rodriguez, 15. Joe Cator, 16. Joe Bretherton, 17. Rob Butler, 19. Benjamin Laguerre, 21. Ellis Gillam, 25. Thomas Lacans, 26. Romeo Tropis, 27. Radean Robinson, 28. Ajahni Wallace, 35. Brendan Hands.

𝐋𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞 ♟️

📺 Suivez la finale en direct sur la chaîne YouTube de TheSportsman 👉 https://t.co/4TAF4RCNSz#TOgether pic.twitter.com/KBGX9vosAb

— Toulouse Olympique XIII (@TOXIII) October 3, 2025