Crusaders join Super League | Rugby League News | Sky Sports Tickets Crusaders join Super League Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds have joined the 12 current Super League clubs in being handed Super League licences. Last Updated: 22/07/08 11:20am Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds have joined the 12 current Super League clubs in being handed Super League licences for the next three years. The news means that Wales will have a team in Super League for the first time from next season. The Crusaders, based in Bridgend, are currently third in National League One. The five teams who applied for licences and missed out are Widnes, Halifax, Leigh, Featherstone and Toulouse. Licences were awarded based on a number of criteria, including stadia, fanbase and financial and playing strength. The RFL decided to adopt the scheme to allow clubs to develop mid to long-term development strategies that they felt were hampered by a promotion and relegation system. Delighted Crusaders chief executive David Thompson told Sky Sports News: "We are absolutely delighted.

What we have achieved over two-and-a-half years is incredible, but we know all we have done is get to the starting line. "We have got a lot of work to do over the next three years to make sure we continue to grow and become stronger." Salford - relegated from the top flight last year - were also quick to express their joy at the decision. A club statement read: "Salford City Reds are delighted to be back in engage Super League. "The club had every confidence in its licence application, which was a comprehensive review of all aspects of club operations. "The granting of a licence based on those documents is testimony that the game's governing body approves of the professional manner in which Salford City Reds currently operates on and off the field. "We would like to take the opportunity to thank the executive directors at the RFL for their decision which secures the future ambitions of Salford City Reds for the 2009 season and beyond." Historic Richard Lewis, the RFL's executive chairman, said: "This is a historic day for rugby league and we are once again being innovative and leading the way in British sport by implementing a licensing system that will improve standards both on and off the field in the elite competition.

"We believe licensing has already served to galvanise the sport, stimulating clubs into addressing the issues of facility improvements, spectator comfort and the production of more players. "Fundamentally, and at its heart, licensing promotes improvement in standards across the board. "It creates stability and yet crucially keeps open the route into Super League for all aspiring clubs who can demonstrate the required standard. It is a better and fairer way of a club entering engage Super League." BBC SPORT | Rugby League | My Club | Celtic Crusaders | When two codes collide When two codes collide Date: Friday, 6 February Kick-off: 2000 GMT Venue: Headingley Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Leeds FM, AM, DAB & online; BBC Radio Wales MW, BBC Radio Cymru and online and score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live and online The Celtic Crusaders prepare for the battle of the Welsh rugby codes By Peter Shuttleworth Is Wales big enough for the both of them? Rugby league and rugby union, that is. Wales' first top-flight rugby league team makes its big-time bow on Friday against the Leeds Rhinos.

But, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Celtic Crusaders' Super League opener against the defending champions has been overshadowed by their union nemesis. In a week when the country's rugby union heroes, the emotional barometer of the nation, begin the defence of their Six Nations Grand Slam title, the Crusaders were always going to struggle to capture the wider public's attention. The Crusaders' task is to convince the union hotbed of south Wales to accept, embrace and support their rugby relatives from league. It's a tough mission, make no mistake. Union might be a little fearful of the new kid in town but as codes they are closer in playing style than ever Former dual code international Iestyn Harris Trying to find room in the Welsh sporting psyche in Six Nations week may well be more difficult than winning the three-year Super League franchise in the first place. The Bridgend-based franchise was raised from the ashes of a defunct rugby union region when the Celtic Warriors were sacrificed by the Welsh Rugby Union when they slimmed down from five to four regions in 2005.

Now the club scorned by union has been reborn and is ready to go toe-to-toe with their maker in the battle of the codes - so can the rugby rivals co-exist? "Wales is a hotbed for rugby, albeit union," said Welsh dual-code star Iestyn Harris. "But I know from my time playing union in Wales, there is a lot of interest in rugby league, so maybe awarding a Welsh club a Super League franchise is not as bold a move as you might think. "Union might be a little fearful of the new kid in town but as codes they are closer in playing style than ever and I think there is a huge amount of respect for league among union fans and players. "Super League is an exciting spectacle, it's fast and furious and not as technical as union so if Welsh fans would give it a chance, they'd love it. "The Crusaders are riding the crest of a wave and will get a bit of sympathy from the Welsh public early on but that will waver if 12 months down the line, they are not competitive - the public will lose any interest as they can be fickle." RFL bosses are renowned for their innovative marketing tactics and dynamic ideas.

Union and league have been uneasy bedfellows in Wales for the best part of 100 years WRU chief executive Roger Lewis And they have certainly been shrewd in scheduling the Crusaders' fixtures with very few home matches going head-to-head with either club or country union games. Their highly-anticipated Brewery Field showdowns with Super League giants Wigan, Warrington, Bradford and Leeds have been, astutely, reserved for the sparse sporting wasteland of the summer. Harris said: "Fans might want to watch the great names like Wigan, St Helens, Leeds and Bradford when there's nothing else on - and want more." But Roger Lewis, the Welsh Rugby Union's chief executive, points out: "All sporting bodies are looking at how they schedule and structure their sporting activity to maximise the appeal and experience. "For example, few Welsh football clubs will go head-to-head with international rugby games at the Millennium Stadium. "Like on the field the best team wins, off the field the best commercial team wins.

"All sports are competing for players and people's leisure time these days, no-one can be complacent and rugby union must ensure that our sport is more attractive than the others." 606: DEBATE l am glad to hear that rugby league is becoming more and more popular in Wales hkralltheway Wales boast the third oldest rugby league national team and has produced legends of the sport like Billy Boston, Gus Risman and Jim Sullivan, not to mention Clive Sullivan, David Watkins and Jonathan Davies. And Lewis adds: "Union and league have been uneasy bedfellows in Wales for the best part of 100 years but bedfellows nevertheless and the codes are closer now than they have been before." In fact, Warren Gatland's Wales union team won their second Grand Slam in four seasons with philosophies straight out of the rugby league textbook. Their defensive lines, dummy-runner strategy, quick ball recycling and fitness levels are foundations on which the 13-man game is built. Much of that is credited to Shaun Edwards, Gatland's right-hand man, who enjoyed a hugely successful league career before crossing the code divide to coach in union at Wasps and now Wales.

"Probably the emphasis on defence came over from rugby league," acknowledges Edwards. "The physical aspect to dominate your opponent is the same in both codes. Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards is a league man in union "A lot of Welsh rugby union players went up north to play league because they were great rugby players and I think rugby is rugby." And Six Nations winning coach Gatland reveals: "We've had the Crusaders coaches come in and have a look how we do and I wouldn't mind having a look at the way they prepare." Wales' union full-back star Lee Byrne, who hails from the Crusaders' base of Bridgend, has played league and he hopes the rivalry will improve both codes in Wales. "Now youngsters can have a choice to play league or union and that is not a bad thing," he said. "It will improve standards across the codes and, of course, if a guy doesn't make it in one code, he could always try the other." Welsh sport in the 21st century has achieved things few ever believed possible: FA Cup finals staged at the Millennium Stadium, a 2009 Ashes test in Cardiff, the 2010 Ryder Cup in Newport and a Welsh Super League franchise.

"This isn't an argument between rugby union and rugby league," concluded WRU chief Lewis. "Modern-day Wales should be big enough to embrace all sports as we want our children to grow up in an all-sports environment." Bookmark with: Celtic Crusaders become first team in Wales to join Engage Super League - Telegraph Rugby League Celtic Crusaders become first team in Wales to join Engage Super League The Celtic Crusaders, based in Bridgend and launched only three years ago, will next season become the first Welsh club to play in the Engage Super League. By David Burke 10:57PM BST 22 Jul 2008 The Crusaders, Salford City Reds and the 12 existing Super League sides have been awarded three-year licences by the Rugby Football League. Promotion and relegation will be scrapped next season. Crusaders and Salford won the vote over Widnes, Featherstone, Halifax, Leigh and Toulouse. Widnes owner Steve O'Connor, who rescued the club from administration last year, said: "I'm perplexed and desperately disappointed.

Our fans are angry and bitter with the decision, but we will come back stronger." Leigh, ready to move into a new stadium, have hit out at Crusaders' inclusion. Chief executive Allan Rowley said: "We are thoroughly disgusted with the Celtic decision. We know they have a team that fielded 10 overseas players against us this season because they are classed as a development team. "We feel this decision is purely a geographical one, and the decision-makers should hang their heads in shame. We know there is no system for appealing, but we are definitely going to ask the RFL how Celtic ticked more boxes than us." Expansionists will be delighted that Crusaders were granted a licence, and their president, Jonathan Davies, the former Wales dual international, said: "The Welsh public will have the opportunity to see top-class rugby league on a week-by-week basis, which is something that's never happened before.

"We missed the boat in both 1995 and 1998 when a Super League side could have been placed down here, but this decision more than makes up for it." Crusaders chief executive David Thompson said: "What we have achieved in 2½ years has been incredible, but we know we are only at the starting line. It is a massive day for rugby league in Wales, and there is huge potential. We genuinely believe we can build something special." Salford chairman John Wilkinson said: "The licensing system is good because it will enable clubs to build their business and develop more British youngsters. Instead of clubs fighting relegation, bringing in journeymen to try and stay up, they can give home-grown players a chance. The national side will reap the benefit." Wakefield and Castleford, the two Super League clubs under the most threat, will be relieved but know they must have new stadiums by 2011 or face losing their licences. Licences were awarded based on several criteria, including stadiums, fan base and financial and playing strength.

The unsuccessful clubs will have the chance to reapply when licences are awarded for 2012-2014, and the competition could then be expanded to 15 or 16 clubs. Richard Lewis, the RFL's executive chairman, said: "We believe licensing has already served to galvanise the sport, stimulating clubs into addressing the issues of facility improvements, spectator comfort and the production of more players." Super League 14 for 2009: Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Catalans Dragons, Celtic Crusaders, Harlequins, Huddersfield Giants, Hull, Hull Kingston Rovers, Leeds Rhinos, Salford City Reds, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors.

RFL innovations 1996: Switch to summer rugby, video referees, TV cameras in dressing rooms 1998: Launch of play-offs and Grand Final instead of 'first past the post’, salary caps imposed to control spending 2007: 'Magic Weekend’ with full round of matches in Cardiff The Salford City Reds Salford and Celtic Crusaders to play in Super League from next season - Telegraph Rugby League Salford and Celtic Crusaders to play in Super League from next season The Rugby Football League have confirmed that Celtic Crusaders and Salford will join an expanded Super League from next season. By Steve Wilson and agencies 11:19AM BST 22 Jul 2008 Comments The sport's premier domestic competition will, between 2009-20011, consist of 14 clubs, with no promotion or relegation, after licences were awarded to the Bridgend-based Crusaders and the ambitious National League One side.

The decision of the panel to opt for Welsh expansion and to reinstate Salford, who were relegated last year but have grand plans for a 20,000-capacity stadium, means disappointment will be most keenly felt by Widnes. The Vikings, who lost their place in the top flight in 2005, missed out along with Leigh, Halifax, Featherstone and Toulouse. Whilst those clubs were united in their dismay at missing out, the mood at Salford was understandably upbeat. "Salford City Reds are delighted to be back in engage Super League," read a club statement. "The club had every confidence in its licence application, which was a comprehensive review of all aspects of club operations. "The granting of a licence based on those documents is testimony that the game's governing body approves of the professional manner in which Salford City Reds currently operates on and off the field. "We would like to take the opportunity to thank the executive directors at the RFL for their decision which secures the future ambitions of Salford City Reds for the 2009 season and beyond." Licences were awarded based on a number of criteria, including stadia, fanbase and financial and playing strength.

The RFL decided to adopt the scheme to allow clubs to develop mid to long-term development strategies that they felt were hampered by a promotion and relegation system. Crusaders chief executive David Thompson said: "We are absolutely delighted. What we have achieved over two-and-a-half years is incredible, but we know all we have done is get to the starting line. "We have got a lot of work to do over the next three years to make sure we continue to grow and become stronger." The unsuccessful clubs, and others, will have the chance to reapply when licences are awarded for 2012-2014. The RFL have set no upper limit on numbers so the competition could conceivably be expanded to 15 or 16 clubs at some point in the future. Widnes had been among the front-runners to be included this time and chairman Steve O'Connor, who rescued the club from financial ruin last year, insists the club will bounce back. O'Connor said: "We've only just been informed of the RFL's decision, which is obviously deeply disappointing to the board, officials, players and fans of this great club.

"We now need to sit down and assess the full implications of this ruling over the next few days. However, it is important that our fans are reassured that I am fully committed to Widnes Vikings. "There was great competition for these 14 licences and some of the applicants were bound to lose out at the end of the day. "I feel it is vital for the game as a whole that the Super League flourishes under this new licence system and I'm still convinced that Widnes Vikings have all the credentials to become a powerful force in Super League. "We must build on the solid foundations we have laid down over the past eight months and prepare an absolutely irresistible licence application for the future." The Crusaders, Salford and Widnes were all thought to have submitted strong applications but including them all would have meant dropping one of the existing number. Castleford and Wakefield were thought to be the clubs most under threat but both were given votes of confidence. Richard Lewis, the RFL's executive chairman, said: "This is a historic day for rugby league and we are once again being innovative and leading the way in British sport by implementing a licensing system that will improve standards both on and off the field in the elite competition.

"We believe licensing has already served to galvanise the sport, stimulating clubs into addressing the issues of facility improvements, spectator comfort and the production of more players. "Fundamentally, and at its heart, licensing promotes improvement in standards across the board. "It creates stability and yet crucially keeps open the route into Super League for all aspiring clubs who can demonstrate the required standard. It is a better and fairer way of a club entering engage Super League." Iframe not supported Crusaders and Toulouse join queue for elite inclusion | The Times Crusaders and Toulouse join queue for elite inclusion Christopher Irvine Published at 11:10PM, November 14 2007 Celtic Crusaders, based in Bridgend, and Toulouse, the French club, are among an anticipated 18 applicants for three-year Super League franchise licences for an expanded competition from 2009.

The addition of two clubs hinges on an improved television deal — the existing Sky Sports contract expires in 12 months — but an optimistic Richard Lewis, the RFL executive chairman, said yesterday: “I think we will deliver 14 clubs.” Clubs have until January 31 next year to submit their applications, with the Crusaders, who were promoted from National League Two in September, hoping to establish a Super League base in South Subscribe now Celtic Crusaders : Wikis (The Full Wiki) The Full Wiki More info on Celtic Crusaders Wikis Celtic Crusaders: Wikis Advertisements Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . (Redirected to Crusaders Rugby League article) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Crusaders Rugby League Current season Crusaders Rugby League ( Welsh : Croesgadwyr Rygbi'r Gynghrair) (known as Celtic Crusaders before November 2009) are a Welsh professional rugby league club based in Wrexham , North Wales . Since 2009 the club have competed in the Super League competition.

Since December 2009, Crusaders have been owned by Wrexham Village Ltd, the holding company of Wrexham FC and the Wrexham Village development. Founded in 2006, the club's initial base was the Brewery Field in Bridgend . In 2009, the club announced that they would be relocating to Rodney Parade in Newport for the following season. However, the club ran into financial trouble and was bought by Wrexham based businessman Geoff Moss. As a result, the club was permanently moved to Wrexham, playing out of the Racecourse Ground stadium. They are coached by Brian Noble . [1] In addition to the first team, the club also runs an u18s side with players drawn from the Rugby League Conference Welsh Premier . The academy side currently play their games in the Gillette National Youth League . Prior to 2010, the club also ran a reserve team. However, changes in Super League rules meant that the Reserve Team Championship was scrapped in 2010 favour of an u20s competition.

The majority of the ex-Crusaders reserves formed the playing core of the South Wales Scorpions , who were formed that year and will operate as an unofficial feeder club to the Crusaders. Contents Advertisements Celtic Warriors In the summer of 2003, the WRU voted to reduce the top tier of Welsh professional rugby union from nine clubs into five regions. The Celtic Warriors officially represented the Mid-Glamorgan Valleys area, which in practice meant that they were a combination of Pontypridd RFC and Bridgend RFC . Financial problems at Pontypridd RFC led to the sale of their half of the Warriors to Bridgend RFC owner Leighton Samuel , which he gifted to the WRU. He then later sold his half to the WRU who in the Summer of 2004 decided to liquidate the club. Celtic Crusaders Leighton Samuel then created a team which he claimed was the resurrection of the old Celtic Warriors franchise, however, instead of playing rugby union they would play rugby league .

The RFL had long wanted a team based in South Wales to play in their leagues and accepted his proposals, and the Celtic Crusaders wre entered into the National Leauge Two for the start of the 2006 season. The initial plan to re-use the 'Celtic Warriors' name was abandoned in favour of 'Celtic Crusaders' which had been considered by the rugby union franchise. They were to play their home games at Brewery Field and games were planned to be held at Sardis Road as well. The Crusaders' aim was to reach Super League and to represent south Wales. Previous attempts to create rugby league franchises in non-traditional areas have met with mixed success. Gateshead Thunder and Paris Saint Germain were given automatic entry to the Super League during its early years in the 1990s. Paris survived only two seasons and Gateshead were forcibly merged and reincarnated as a lower league side despite a successful first year. The philosophy behind the creation of the Crusaders was a bottom up approach to ensure that the club grew naturally, developed a strong fan base and put proper infrastructure in place before moving into the top league.

The Crusaders' first match took place against Harlequins Academy at Brewery Field. The Crusaders used the fixture as a chance to view the fringe players in their squad and secured a 22-22 draw. Their first competitive games were in the National League Cup ; Crusaders were placed in a group along with London Skolars , Hemel Stags and St Albans Centurions . Crusaders won every game convincingly and were installed as favourites to win National League Two in their first year. However, the team finished a creditable third and lost out 26-27 in the Final Eliminator to Swinton Lions . They played against Brisbane Broncos in the Bulmers Original Cider Challenge at the Brewery Field on Thursday 15 February 2007, losing with a respectable scoreline of 6-32. In only their second season of existence, the Celtic Crusaders won the 2007 National League Two championship, thus earning automatic promotion to National League One in 2008. The title was sealed with one match left to play as a result of Featherstone Rovers away loss at Barrow Raiders on 8 September 2007.

[2] In that year fullback Tony Duggan won the National League Two Player of the Year award for 2007 with 40 tries through 2007. Jace Van Dijk, Neale Wyatt, Damien Quinn, Mark Dalle Cort, Neil Budworth, all joined Duggan in the National League Two all-star team. [3] Their highest ever attendance in National league 2 was on Friday 4 May 2007 when 3,441 people witnessed them play Oldham Roughyeds at the Brewery Field . Many of the crowd consisted of engage Super League fans who had travelled to south Wales for the Millennium Magic weekend in Cardiff but the majority were locals thanks to a marketing campaign by the club. This attendance was also an NL2 record attendance and the first NL2 match broadcast live on British television. In 2008, a crowd of 6,152 attended the game against Featherstone Rovers on Friday 3 May, again on the weekend of Millennium Magic. [4] Again made by the Magic Weekend.

In their first ever Co-operative National League One match, Celtic Crusaders, in atrocious conditions, claimed a hard-fought 14-12 win over Dewsbury Rams. [5] The club performed above all expectations, and went on to finish 2nd in the league and make the National Leauge One Grand Final, losing out in extra time to the relegated Super League side, Salford Reds . Entry to Super League Crusaders were awarded a three year Super League licence in July 2008 as the league abandoned automatic promotion and relegation in favour of franchising from Super League XIV onwards. [6] They lost their first game in the European Super League against then World Champions and back-to-back Super League Champions Leeds Rhinos 28-6 at Headingley Stadium . The Crusaders' first try in the Super League was scored by Luke Dyer , and converted by Josh Hannay . [7] The Crusaders registered their first Super League victory on 17 May 2009, in the 12th game of the season against the Bradford Bulls winning 30–24 away at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford.

Their second win of the season, and their first at home, came on 13 June against a visiting Wigan side. On 26 May 2009, the Crusaders announced they would play the Leeds Rhinos in Newport in a bid to take some games on the road and expand the game in Wales. [8] In August, the UK Border Agency found that six Celtic Crusaders players had breached visa regulations and were to be deported. These included captain Jace van Dijk and Australians Tony Duggan , Damien Quinn , Darren Mapp , Mark Dalle Cort and Josh Hannay . Crusaders Rugby League For the 2010 season, the club made a number of changes. Firstly, they dropped the "Celtic" label to become simply Crusaders [9] , adopted a new badge and announced that they would be playing at Rodney Parade , Newport for the next two years. Secondly, on 14 October it was announced that former Wigan Warriors and Great Britain coach Brian Noble had been appointed as Head Coach for the coming season. [10] Jon Sharp was signed as first-team coach and Iestyn Harris was brought in as an assistant.

However, in December 2009, the club ran into financial difficulties, with Leighton Samuel being forced to put the club up for sale. The club was bought by Wrexham Village, the company that owns Wrexham FC , and as a result was relocated away from its original South Wales base to a permanent base in Wrexham . From 2010 onwards, the Crusaders will play the majority of their home games at the Racecourse Ground . [11] As a result of the club's relocation, a new team was set up to capitalise on and continue the development work done in the South of the country. The South Wales Scorpions were admitted to Championship One (formerly National League Two) in 2010, with the majority of their squad being made up of former Crusaders juniors. On the field, the change in ownership and the visa issues of the previous season meant that new coach Brian Noble had to put a squad together at extremely short notice, with the vast majority of available players already signed up by other clubs.

In their first match at their new home, the scratch Crusaders squad gave an encouraging showing, going down eventually to four-time champions Leeds Rhinos in front of a sell-out Racecourse Ground crowd. In the next game against Wigan they struggled, however the club recorded its first win of the season the following week against Salford, and backed that up a week later up with a victory over the previously unbeaten Hull FC . Symbols Celtic Crusaders badge 2005–2007 The club's first badge was used between its founding in 2005 and 2008. The badge featured the Flag of Saint David on a shield. A ribbon around the bottom of the shield bore the motto Oderint dum metuant (Latin for "Let them hate, so long as they fear"), which is attributed to the Roman tragic poet, Lucius Accius and later became famous as a saying of the Emperor Caligula . Above and below the shield were the world "Celtic" and "Crusaders Rugby League Club" respectively. The club's colours were black and gold, inspired by the Flag of St David.

[12] The blue and white colours of the change strip were the same as the club colours of Bridgend RFC . Celtic Crusaders badge 2008–2009 The Crusaders' current badge was adopted following the 2007 season. [12] David Thompson, the then chief executive commented, "The new badge is modern, progressive and business-friendly. Our Welsh identity is prominent as ever through the gold and black Flag of St David which still provides the colours of our home strip". [12] The round badge, ringed with "Celtic Crusaders", features a warrior holding a sword and a shield with the Flag of St David on it, in the background are two Celtic knots . The badge bears striking similarity to the badge intended for use during the Celtic Warriors' unplayed 2004/05 season. For the 2009 season, the club used a red and white away strip, colours associated with Welsh national teams. The club have revealed a new logo ready for use in the 2010 season.

The badge, inspired by the Prince of Wales's feathers , has three white feathers adorning the centre of a disc with the Flag of St David on. To the left and right of the feathers, the words "Rugby" and "League" appear on the disc. Beneath the feathers is written "Crusaders". Stadium The Crusaders played their home matches at Brewery Field , the traditional home of Bridgend rugby. Crusaders submitted plans to the local authority in Bridgend to construct a new 15,000 capacity stadium to further aid the development of the club in 2008. [13] In August 2009, the Crusaders announced that they were to play their home games at Rodney Parade , Newport, for two seasons. [14] The move was announced after several Super League clubs including Celtic Crusaders were warned in July 2009 that their continued presence in Super League after the next round of licensing was in jeopardy due to the standard of their home venues.

[15] [16] An RFL statement said, "[They] have been informed that if plans to build new stadiums or significantly improve their home venues are not sufficiently advanced by 2011, they may not satisfy the full criteria for the next period of licensing”. [15] The club stated it was their intention to return to Bridgend once their planned stadium had been built. [14] The club will now play the majority of their home fixtures at the Wrexham Racecourse Ground which is a suitable stadium. 2010 Squad Super League: Crusaders braced for tough test | Sport | The Guardian Crusaders braced for tough test Saturday 31 January 2009 20.53 EST First published on Saturday 31 January 2009 20.53 EST Close This article is 7 years old History will be made on Friday when the new Super League season kicks off with the reigning champions, Leeds Rhinos , taking on the Celtic Crusaders at Headingley. It will be the first time that a fully professional Welsh club has taken part in rugby league's elite competition.

There have been Welsh clubs in rugby league at various times since the split of 1895, from Aberdare, Ebbw Vale, Barry, Treherbert and Merthyr Tydfil in the early part of the 20th century through to South Wales in 1996. All were semi-professional and none lasted more than a handful of seasons. However, last year the Crusaders, along with the Salford City Reds, won a three-year licence to join a newly expanded 14-team Super League . It represents a huge gamble by both the club and the Rugby Football League to establish the sport in the principality. But there is real hope that the Bridgend-based club can thrive and so far they done everything right. With Australian coach John Dixon in place they joined National Two in 2006, were promoted in 2007 and made the National One Grand Final last year, only losing out to Salford in extra time. Dixon, who has been very shrewd in his recruitment of players over the past three years, says: "I can't believe we're here now, when you think how short our existence has been.

We played our first game less than three years ago at Hemel Hempstead and now we're going to Leeds, who are the World Club champions. We're untested at this level. If you read the bookmakers they're confident of where we'll finish, but I'd like some of that money. My hope for us is that we can learn to live in this league and be competitive." Although the squad is dominated by northerners and Australians, the club are committed to developing their own players. Last year their colts side won the National Conference Grand Final with 14 of the 17 being Welsh-born, but do not expect too many to feature in Super League this year. While Wales has always produced talented rugby players, getting them to the standard of Super League will take time. One man who knows about this painstaking process is Harlequins' coach, Brian McDermott. "I've been down here three years and I know how long it takes to develop a junior," he says. "Realistically, the club have had a crack at developing their own juniors for the last five or six years and we've still not got the conveyor belt right.

I think the Crusaders can generate some interest now that they're playing in Super League. I just hope they are competitive. If last season is anything to go by they will be, they're a smart team and I think John Dixon is a smart coach. I don't think they'll be the walkovers, but when you get one or two injuries and hit a little bit of bad form, that's when you rely on your infrastructure. If everything around you is strong you'll bounce back and I just hope they've got that." With 14 teams in the competition, the fixtures will now be on a straightforward home-and-away basis plus an additional weekend of matches in Scotland at Murrayfield in May, which replaces Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. The top eight teams will qualify for the play-offs, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford in October. This opening weekend will have just three fixtures, pulled forward from later in the season for specific reasons. Leeds take on Australian champions Manly in the World Club Challenge on 1 March and Harlequins have brought their match with Bradford forward to Sunday because they have arranged for a warm-up game with Manly the week before.

Wigan are also playing their Round 17 match with Wakefield on Sunday to enable work to be done on their pitch at the JJB Stadium in June. All 14 teams will be in action the following weekend. BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Crusaders & Salford win licences Crusaders & Salford win licences Crusaders and Reds will compete in Super League until at least 2011 Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds will play in a new-look Super League next season, but Widnes have missed out on one of the 14 licences up for grabs. The Crusaders, based in Bridgend, and Salford join the existing 12 clubs in an expanded competition, which was unveiled by the Rugby Football League. The licences will run until 2011, with no relegation during that period. French club Toulouse, along with Leigh, Halifax and Featherstone from the National League, also missed out. Of the existing Super League clubs, Castleford and Wakefield were thought to be most at threat of exclusion, but they both kept their places. Interview: RFL Chairman Richard Lewis "It was a difficult decision," said RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis.

"There were 19 good applications but in the end there are going to be five disappointed clubs." The inclusion of Welsh side Crusaders means the RFL expands the geographical spread of Super League, one of its stated aims in its 2005-2008 strategy. "The Crusaders' inclusion is a gamble," said BBC Radio 5 Live's rugby league commentator Dave Woods. "But with the RFL desperate to expand beyond its so-called heartlands, most in the game would say it's a necessary gamble. "Widnes and Salford were thought to be the strongest contenders for the 'other' available spot. "With a new stadium on the way and its key geographical location close to Manchester, Salford got the nod." Salford are currently top of National League One, with the Crusaders, who are based in Brigend, third. "I'm a very happy man," Salford chief executive David Tarry told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Many hours of work went into that application. It means everything for the club - it was the only way we could move forward. "All sports clubs are really empowered by what they do on the field, their success and by playing at the highest level in their sport.

Super League is obviously the highest level in our sport and it's where we need to be. "Hundreds of our fans turned up this morning and I'm really, really glad it went the right way. I wouldn't have wanted to be here otherwise!" 606: DEBATE mattkingizawire Crusaders chief executive Dave Thompson said: "What we've achieved over two-and-a-half years has been incredible. "But we've only got to the starting line. We've got a lot of work to do in the next three years. The potential is huge. That's why today is so important to us." A five-man RFL panel assessed the 19 applications based on four key criteria: stadium facilities, finance and business performance, commercial and marketing, and playing strength, including junior player production development. The unsuccessful clubs can reapply for 2012-2014 licences and the RFL could decide to expand the Super League again. Widnes were the most high-profile club to miss out this time around and chairman Steve O'Connor described the decision as "deeply disappointing".

Widnes 'devastated' by licence decision "We now need to sit down and assess the full implications of this ruling over the next few days," he stated. "However, it is important that our fans are reassured that I am fully committed to Widnes Vikings. "I feel it is vital for the game as a whole that the Super League flourishes under this new licence system. "I'm still convinced that Widnes Vikings have all the credentials to become a powerful force in Super League. "We must build on the solid foundations we have laid down over the past eight months and prepare an absolutely irresistible licence application for the future." Leigh Centurions, another club to have missed out on a Super League licence, were also far from happy with the announcement. "May we take this opportunity to wish Salford and Celtic all the best, but also have to say we are thoroughly disgusted with the Celtic decision," said the club's chief executive Allan Rowley in a statement.

"We have nothing at all against the people who run Celtic - they can only do what they do within the laws of the game - but the decision makers should hang their heads in shame." The disappointment of Widnes and Leigh contrasted with Castleford's delight as the Tigers clung on to their Super League place. "The last few years have been tough ones for everyone but there are much brighter times ahead for the Tigers," insisted chief executive Richard Wright. "The new stadium is moving ahead and this news can only add to the momentum of the project. "Plans to strengthen the squad for 2009 are well advanced and we expect to make some announcements very soon on that front." Bookmark with:

Question: Celtic Crusaders join the Rugby League Superleague in 2009, in which town or city is the club based?
Answer: Bridgend