Paul McShane sees no reason why lightning can’t strike twice for York Knights – and holders Hull KR can be dumped out of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
The experienced hooker hopes to lead his side into the semi-finals by causing a shock at Sewell Group Craven Park on Saturday, streamed live on SuperLeague+ (KO 1.30pm).
York have never won the famous trophy and the only time they even reached the final was almost 100 years ago. The Robins, of course, currently hold all four major pieces of silverware having added the World Club Challenge to last season’s Grand Final glory, Wembley success and League Leaders’ Shield.
But ex-England international McShane only has to look back to February, when his side produced a remarkable comeback in their first-ever Super League game to beat Rovers 19-18 on the opening night, to be reminded about what is possible.
Rolling back the years, McShane also produced a Player of the Match performance that night.
He recalled: “That game was just non-stop. Obviously, for myself, it was my first time back in Super League in 12 months.
“But for a lot of the lads, it was their first look at Super League and, coming up against Hull KR, they are just relentless in what they do.
“At the start of the game, we were on the back foot and just scrambled for our lives.
“We managed to hold together, got a couple of tries on the board and then managed to hold on to get that win.
“It got us off to a great start to the season. But Round 1 seems a long time ago now.
“Hull KR are quality all over. When we played them at the start of the year, it was probably a really good time to get them – the first game of the new season and things weren’t clicking for them.
“But they have quality all over the field. Even if they have a couple of players out, they've got quality to bring in, so it's going to be tough.”
The contrast since then is stark: newcomers York have won just once more in Super League and lost four games on the bounce in the competition while Rovers have won four of their last five and also down NRL premiers Brisbane Broncos.
It’s little wonder Round 1 seems so long ago for the Leeds Rhinos product who won the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Award with Castleford Tigers in 2020.
Nevertheless, aside from Saturday’s sobering 34-14 loss at Huddersfield Giants, they have been competitive, going down by just a point at Wigan Warriors and pushing Warrington Wolves close, too.
McShane, who remains as competitive and skilled as ever at the age of 36, said: “We've been close in a lot of games over the past month or so and just not quite nailed a result yet.
“It’s frustrating. We don't want to be in Super League to make the numbers up. We want to be competing and we’re just falling short at the minute.
“We’re confident we can get results if we nail a plan. I think it shows this year that when we stick to plan, we're pushing the top teams close or getting a result.
“And that’s what we’ll need to do on Saturday.”
It would be fairytale for McShane, in the final stages of a superb career, to go on and lift the Challenge Cup.
He came close with Castleford in 2021 before losing out to St Helens at Wembley while he had just left hometown Leeds when their Golden Generation finally reigned supreme in 2014 and 2015.
McShane won the World Club Challenge with Rhinos when they beat Manly in 2012 but, now approaching 400 career games, other major trophies still elude him.
“Obviously, we won the League Leaders’ Shield with Cas’ in 2017,” he added, the year when terrific Tigers tore sides to shreds before agonisingly losing out to Rhinos at Old Trafford.
“And there was a couple with York last year. But it's definitely something that you want to get in your career and some players are lucky enough to play in a fair, few finals.
“As a group, though, there’s probably again no pressure on us. It’s just about enjoying the weekend and seeing what we can do. We’re looking forward to it.”
If York are to reach the last-four, they’ll have to silence Jez Litten, the Robins and England hooker who’s in career-best form.
As a fellow No9, McShane can certainly appreciate the 28 year-old's talent.
He said: “He’s awesome. And I think he has been for a few years now.
“He's so consistent in what he does. And last year, in the Ashes, I thought he was outstanding as well.
“For me, he's the form nine and probably the best nine in the comp’ so we’ll definitely need to keep an eye on him.”
McShane, meanwhile, has been handed a new role by York boss Mark Applegarth this season, switching to loose forward at points in some games.
He explained: “I've been dabbling in a bit of both: a bit of nine and a bit of 13.
“The game’s changed now. It's very quick and Mash [Applegarth] thinks I can offer something more in that ball-playing 13 role when it gets a little bit quicker.
“And it’s a role I am enjoying.”
Could it also extend his career even further?
“It does save my old man back from bending down all the time!” McShane joked.
“No, I don’t know what I’ll do [playing future]. I’m going to just take each game as it comes and see where my body is at the end of the year.
“But it’s something that has given me a little bit of excitement; just something a bit different, a different role.
“It’s a bit like having an extra half on the field at the minute, especially when I play there. I probably need to offer a little bit more ball-carrying to help out my forwards but it is something I do like doing at the moment.”
By Dave Craven
Watch York Knights travel to face the current Challenge Cup holders Hull KR this Saturday (11 April, K.O. 1.30pm), live on BBC Two.
It's Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Book your tickets here today and enjoy our early bird prices!
