Crusaders kick off at Leeds

Huge test for Super League rookies on opening day

Last updated: 24th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Crusaders kick off at Leeds

Rhinos: Defending champions

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Celtic Crusaders will endure the ultimate baptism of fire when they take on champions Leeds in their opening Super League game at Headingley on February 6.

The Bridgend-based Crusaders will begin their inaugural campaign in the top flight with two away games before taking on Hull at the Brewery Field on Saturday February 21.

The Leeds-Crusaders fixture has been brought forward to the opening weekend to free up space for the Rhinos' clash with Australian champions Manly in the Carnegie World Club Challenge on March 1.

Crusaders coach John Dixon said: "Playing the 2008 engage Super League champions in our first fixture provides us with the best possible introduction to playing at the elite level.

"This is the start of something special, something I'm certain that the lovers of sport in Wales will embrace."

Harlequins' home game against Bradford has also been brought forward to February 8 to enable them to play a friendly with the Sea Eagles on February 19, while Wigan will play their round 17 fixture with Wakefield on the opening Sunday.

The Crusaders will take on fellow Super League newcomers Salford in the first full round of fixtures on February 13, when Mick Potter will start life as St Helens coach with a home game against Warrington.

Potter's former club Catalans Dragons start against Huddersfield in Perpignan, where Australian coaches Kevin Walters and Nathan Brown will make their Super League bow.

The third annual Magic Weekend will take place at Murrayfield on May 2-3 while Catalans Dragons will play Warrington at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium on Saturday, June 20.

Warrington chief executive Andy Gatcliffe said: "We are absolutely delighted and I'm sure our supporters will turn one of the world's greatest cities primrose and blue.

"Thanks must go the Catalans club for choosing us as the side they wish to play for this unique one-off showcase.

"We are renowned for taking more supporters to Perpignan than any other club in Super League."

The climax to the season will be an expanded eight-team play-off, the format of which will be announced shortly, and the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 10.