Celtic Crusaders have been awarded a three-year licence to play in Super League from 2009.

The Rugby Football League announced their decision at a press conference in Leeds at 10am this morning.

This is the first time that Wales has ever had a side in Super League - the elite level for rugby league in Europe – in the competition’s 14-year history.

The Welsh team now will be locking horns with the best sides and players in European rugby league with the likes of Wigan, St Helens, Leeds and Catalans, along with their respective Great Britain and France international players, due to visit the Crusaders’ Brewery Field ground in Bridgend on a regular basis.

It is also a massive boost for the international game as a whole.

A Super League club in Wales opens the door for Welsh players to play Super League and then represent Wales.

This will eventually enable a stronger Welsh national side to be built leading to more competitive European and World international tournaments.

The RFL’s decision to give Wales’ only professional side a three year licence is testament to all the hard work that Celtic Crusaders have done on and off the field to achieve their goal.

Crusaders’ chief executive David Thompson said: “I am delighted to announce that from 2009 there will be a Welsh club in Super League.

“This is a remarkable achievement for a club that did not exist three years ago and is testament to the hard work, determination and ....

Full article here