Iestyn Harris confident about Crusaders ground-share

Crusaders assistant coach Iestyn Harris is confident their ground-sharing partnership at the Racecourse with Wrexham Football Club can be a success.

The Crusaders' season kicks off at home to Leeds Rhinos on Friday, 29 January.

Harris said: "There's going to be some getting used to the fact that we're working alongside the football club.

"But Dean Saunders, their head coach, has been really great and we're getting to grips with the logistics of when and where we can train."

Harris has been particularly impressed with the quality of training facilities available to the club that relocated in the off-season from south to north Wales.

He added: "The training pitch and gym are both fantastic so everything seems to be falling into place."

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The Crusaders' squad currently totals 19, made up of 10 survivors from last season, five new signings and Welsh-born youngsters Elliot Kear, Lewis Mills, Lloyd White and Gil Dudson.

Kear, Mills, White and Dudson were promoted from the Crusaders' reserves and have already made an impact at international level by helping Wales win the 2009 European Cup.

Some of the players have had to contend with the move from south Wales to Wrexham and the difficult weather conditions, but ex-Wales and Leeds skipper Harris says the squad are "counting down the days" to the opening fixture against the defending Super League champions.

"Preparation hasn't been ideal but the guys have worked tremendously hard and there's a great spirit in the camp," he added.

"We've got together a good squad of players who are ready for the challenge. They can't wait and are really up for it.

"Everyone on the coaching staff has been impressed so far with what they've done.

"As we bring more players into the fold and add some quality to what's already there, I think it's very exciting times ahead at the Crusaders."