Crusaders v Dragons: Teams
All eyes will be on Gareth Thomas on Friday night when Crusaders welcome the injury-hit Les Catalans to Wrexham.
Last Updated: 19/03/10 4:13pm
All eyes will be on Gareth Thomas on Friday night as the rugby union convert makes his Crusaders debut against Catalans Dragons.
The former Wales international has been quickly adjusting to life in the 13-man code following his move to the Racecourse.
Despite only having one week of training with his new team-mates, coach Brian Noble has confirmed that the 35-year-old will play.
"He will feature in the 17, that's for sure," said Noble. "He's had a couple of good weeks' practice and he's fitted in with the group really well."
Thomas replaces Welsh international Anthony Blackwood in the squad, suggesting he will start life in Super League out on the wing.
Noble has made just one other change to his party, drafting in Ben Flower to replace the injured Adam Peek.
Tony Martin retains his place having made his comeback from injury in the 37-30 loss at St Helens last time out - a match Thomas watched from the stands.
Injury problems
Les Catalans will be looking to spoil Thomas' big night, though they are beset by injury problems and have managed just one win in six outings so far in 2010.
Clint Greenshields is the latest name to be added to the French club's casualty list after suffering a broken leg in the home loss to Castleford.
Chris Walker, who took over from Greenshields at full-back, was an injury doubt as well but has been included in coach Kevin Walters' squad.
However, the visitors are still without Thomas Bosc, Jean Philippe Baille, Adam Mogg, who has requested to be released from his contract early so he can return home to Australia, and William Barthau.
Walters has called up David Guasch for the first time. Winger Dimitri Pelo could be ready to return to action after a spell out injured.
Crusaders squad: Thomas, Youngquest, Martin, Mellars, Raynor, Witt, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, Hauraki, Chan, Trimarchi, Dyer, Winternstein, Thackray, James, Flower, Kear, Lupton.
Catalans Dragons squad: Bell, Raguin, Sa, Pelo, Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson, Guasch, Gossard, Carlaw, Bentley, Fakir, Walker, Casty, Gigot, Stacul.