ANDREW Gale is hoping to bite the hand that helped feed him during his playing career when Yorkshire tackle champions Essex in today’s Specsavers County Championship opener at Emerald Headingley.

Now a coach rather than a batsman and title-winning captain, Gale will lock horns with new Essex coach Anthony McGrath, a White Rose legend who scored just short of 23,000 runs across all three formats for the county.

Gale, formerly of Cleckheaton, admits Bradfordian 'Mags' was a big influence on his career, but also that he has no intention of repaying his debt of gratitude this weekend or again down at Chelmsford next month.

“I played most of my career with Mags, and he was someone I looked up to – a mentor coming through the ranks," he said.

“I’m pleased he’s got the head coach’s job and hope he’s successful, apart from in that first and fourth game.

“He will be finding his feet just like I am. It will be a different challenge being a head coach to an assistant, but Mags is a good man and will do all right."

McGrath has replaced Chris Silverwood as head coach at Chelmsford, moving up from his two-year role as the former fast bowler's assistant. Silverwood is now England's full-time bowling coach.

"I've not been back to Headingley in a professional sense since I left, so it will be great to see some old friends, the office staff and people like that," he said. "My family will be there, so it will be a special four days.

"Last year, we were back at Scarborough, which is one of my favourite grounds. To be at Headingley first game, it's just how these things seem to work. I'm looking forward to going back."

Despite the significant gap between the two sides last year, McGrath knows better than to underestimate Gale's troops.

"On a serious side, it will be a real good test for us because we know their pride will be hurting from last year," he said.

"We have great respect for Yorkshire. We know what they've done.

"They didn't have the best of years last year, but they've been so consistent over the last few. We know the quality in their squad.

"It will be good to see how we respond to last year's success, and I think it will set us up for the season."

McGrath and Gale are two of six former Yorkshire players who are head coach's around the counties, with Craig White also in charge at Hampshire, Kevin Sharp at Worcestershire, Richard Dawson at Gloucestershire and Jason Gillespie at Sussex.

"It's great, it really is," added McGrath.

"Things go so fast and you can lose touch. But it's great when you play your old team to be able to catch up over a beer and relive the old stories. We see Sharpy early on and Chalky (White) too. It will be good."