R League: Crusaders splash the cash

Oct 10 2007 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

SUPER LEAGUE hopefuls Celtic Crusaders have thrown down the gauntlet to their new National League One rivals by signing a host of internationals and Super League players.

The Crusaders, who intend to apply for a Super League licence for 2009 after winning the National League Two title this year, have snapped up Mark Lennon, Luke Dyer and David Tangata-Toa following their release by Hull KR.

They have also signed Jordan James, Ian Webster and Aaron Summers, who were in the Widnes team that lost to Castleford in Sunday’s promotion decider, and Steve Thomas and Ben Flower from Welsh rugby union.

Thomas, a 27-year-old centre who played for London Broncos in Super League, joins the club from Neath, while Flower, 19, will make his rugby league debut after signing from Bedwas.

Crusaders chief executive David Thompson said, “The signing of these top-quality players is a real statement of intent by the club.

“We are not simply going into National League One to make up the numbers.

“The intention is to make a genuine impact on the competition.

”It’s important to the club that six of these new signings are Welsh internationals.

“We have always strived to keep the bulk of our squad Welsh qualified and these signings reinforce our intentions.“

Meanwhile, Wales captain Lee Briers is battling to be fit for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Scotland next month.

The Warrington half-back is suffering from an ankle injury sustained at St Helens last month and is currently undergoing intensive treatment in a bid to be fit to lead Wales against Papua New Guinea in Bridgend on October 28.

A week later, the Welsh face Scotland in Glasgow, needing to overturn a seven-point deficit from the first leg to secure a place in the 10-team tournament in Australia next year.