Crusaders v Dragons: Teams

Van Dijk: Wants consistency

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Celtic Crusaders captain Jace Van Dijk is targeting more success following the club's first ever Super League victory last weekend.

The Crusaders finally broke their duck after 11 unsuccessful attempts with a thrilling 30-24 win at Bradford last Sunday.

While the Bridgend club remain rooted to the foot of the table, six points adrift of Saturday's visitors Catalans Dragons, Van Dijk believes the win has relieved some pressure on the players.

"Not a lot has changed, although there were lot more press around during the week," said the Australian scrum-half.

"Training's been the same - we've been pretty upbeat even though we hadn't been able to win - but obviously there's a few more smiles on the faces.

"It may have taken a bit of the pressure off us. The longer it went, the more people were asking us when we were going to get a win.

"We'd been close in a few games but we've probably been poor the last month so to actually put together a good performance against Bradford it's important we continue that now.

"If we turn up at the weekend and get 50 points put past us, it won't mean much. So the message at training this week is to be consistent."

Game

Van Dijk believes the Crusaders can give anyone a game on their day and he now hopes for more victories, starting on Saturday against the Dragons.

He said: "I knew, if we could put 80 minutes together, we could beat just about anybody.

"We've been that patchy with some of the stuff we've been doing but against Bradford we completed really well.

"If we can keep that going, I'm pretty sure we'll get a few more wins."

But the skipper is taking nothing for granted against a Dragons' side which is littered with Australian State of Origin stars.

"I know a few of their Australian players," he said. "I've played against Dane Carlaw, Casey McGuire, Adam Mogg and Shane Perry.

"Their French guys are really big and strong. They nearly beat St Helens at the weekend so it's going to be tough."

Team news

Darren Mapp and Aled James return from injury to join the 17 Crusaders who have all retained their places following the victory over Bradford.

For the Catalans, Jamal Fakir is still out due to a long-term injury but Cyril Gossard and Olivier Elima return to the 19-man party.

Cyril Stacul is also selected after Dimitri Pelo picked up a knock in their 28-32 home defeat to St Helens last time out.

Celtic Crusaders: Beasley, Blackwood, Bryant, Budworth, Mapp, Chan, Dalle Cort, Dyer, Hannay, Flower, Aled James, Jordan James, O'Hara, Lennon, Quinn, Tangata-Toa, Smith, Withers, Van Dijk.

Catalans Dragons: Baile, Bell, Bentley, Bird, Bosc, Carlaw, Casty, Duport, Elima, Ferriol, Gossard, Greenshields, Guisset, McGuire, Mogg, Mounis, Perry, Stacul, Touxagas.