Super League comes to Wales in 2009 as the Celtic Crusaders look to prove they are worth their three-year license.
Welsh franchise finally ready to start season after visa issues
Super League welcomes in a Welsh franchise in 2009 after the Celtic Crusaders were awarded a three-year license.
The Bridgend-based team got the nod ahead of some of the sport's more traditional names such as Featherstone, Leigh and Widnes.
The decision made by the Rugby Football League has been criticised by some, but the desire to extend the boundaries of the sport has given the Crusaders the chance to complete a meteoric rise through the ranks.
They were only founded in 2005 at Brewery Field out of the old Celtic Warriors franchise, who actually played rugby union.
In just their second season they won the 2007 National League Two championship and last year they pushed Salford all the way in League One before losing out in the Grand Final to the Reds.
Now given the chance to establish themselves in the top flight, the Crusaders must prove they can attract the players, and more importantly the fans, if they are to become a permanent fixture.
Their hopes of making an instant impression have not been helped by the arrival of their players from Down Under being held up by visa issues.
Australian coach John Dixon has recruited heavily from his homeland in recent years and the squad for 2009 contains a limited number of born-and-bred Welshmen.
Much of the squad will be new to Super League followers, though there are some recognisable names who have played previously for other clubs.
Matty Smith and Steve Tyrer both arrive from St Helens looking to prove their former club was wrong to let them go, while Peter Lupton has come in from Castleford having also played for Hull.
They will be useful additions to a squad that is a real unknown quantity, though the fixture computer has not been kind to the Crusaders - they start Super League life away at reigning world champions Leeds.
Phil Clarke's one to watch - Tony Duggan
After starring in the National League for the past two seasons, I'm fascinated to see if Duggan can prove all those critics wrong who said that he wasn't good enough for Super League.
As one of the fastest full-backs he is vital to the Crusaders chances of getting across the try line.
