The pair are part of an 18-man squad that will represent the Knights against two Newcastle Rugby League representative teams in the opening trial of the season at Tomaree Sports Complex.

Over the summer the Newcastle Rebels regulars have sweated it out three to four times a week at Knights training, and NSW Cup coach Rip Taylor says they could be ready to take the next step.

‘‘They’ve been good and we’re hoping for big things out of the both of them,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘Both Mitch Williams and Mantellato will ask some questions of the blokes above them, that’s for sure.’’

Mantellato has trained right through the off-season since the Newcastle Rugby League finished in August and played a vital role in Italy’s maiden qualification for the World Cup in 2013 in October.

During the qualifiers for the World Cup in Italy the fullback or winger kicked 33 goals and scored four tries.

His proficiency with the boot attracted the interest of Italian rugby union clubs.

‘‘I had a couple of offers,’’ Mantellato said.

‘‘At the moment I’m just trying to give the Newcastle Knights a real good crack.’’

The lanky 24-year-old has been handed his preferred No.1 jumper for the first of three trials tonight and is determined to put his hard work into practice.

Williams is back for his second attempt to earn a permanent position in the NSW Cup squad.

The former Country NSW player of the year has always had the talent to make the jump, but there have been questions over the hooker’s size and defence.

The former North Sydney Bears and South Sydney Rabbitohs under-20 player hopes boosting his weight by three kilograms to 79kg over the off-season will give him an edge. Other players to come under close examination will be Maitland prop Adam Withyman, former Penrith under-20 centre Michael Mate and Western Suburbs halfback Adrian Davis.