Rugby League: Dixon looking to the league campaign as Skolars come to town

Mar 1 2008 by Simon Kendal-Williams, South Wales Echo

WITH the National League One season less than three weeks away, Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon is looking beyond tonight’s clash with London Skolars (5.30pm).

Qualification to the last 16 of the Northern Rail Cup is already virtually assured, four wins out of four in the round-robin stage putting the Crusaders on top of their group.

The Welsh side take their National League One bow on Good Friday and Dixon plans to give several fringe players a starting role before the big kick-off.

“We’re not taking anything for granted against the Skolars,” said the 56-year-old Australian.

“But we’ll take the opportunity to give at least three of our squad players a run out.

“Geraint Davies, Ben Flower and Philippe Gardent will start, giving a few of the players a rest, including captain Jace van Dijk.”

A win would extend the Crusaders’ winning run to 18 games, stretching back top last season, but Dixon admits he doesn’t give the statistic a second thought.

“I must be one of the few not paying much attention to it,” he said.

“All I know is that I’ve got a squad full of players all putting their hands up to play who want to be a part of a successful team.

“And the only way I’m going to know if they’re up to the task is if I give them a chance to play.”

Before the visit of Dewsbury Rams for the league opener, the Crusaders have been handed an intriguing tie in the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Locomotiv Moscow will be the visitors to the Brewery Field next Friday (7.30pm), and Dixon said:

“Moscow come to us a totally unknown quantity.

“We know nothing about their players, their recruitment or their style of play.

“But that works both ways, so we’ll have to use that to our advantage.

“The language barrier shouldn’t cause any problems on the pitch; as long as they know that the referee’s whistle means ‘stop’, I think we’ll be OK!

“We’re obviously going out to book our place in the next round, but whatever the result, we’ll give them a warm welcome.

“It’s going to be a great experience for everyone involved.”

Carnegie Cup Draw

The draw (ties to be played on March 8 and 9) is: Sheffield Eagles v Lezignan, York City Knights v Halifax, Leeds Metropolitan University v Doncaster, Blackpool v Featherstone Rovers, Wath Brow Hornets v Swinton, Rochdale v York Acorn, London Skolars v Queens Bank, Quay Bulls v Hunslet, British Army v Oldham, Leigh Centurions v Featherstone Lions, Batley v East Hull, Wigan St Pats v Workington, Keighley v Toulouse, Gateshead v Pia, Celtic Crusaders v Lokomotiv Moscow, Mayfield v Barrow, Widnes v Skirlaugh, Oulton Raiders v Dewsbury, Salford v Warrington Wizards, Leigh Miners Rangers v Whitehaven