WRL confirm plans for Neath club

Wednesday 30th November -0001

Above: Wales coach Iestyn Harris with captain Jordan James. Will Harris be involved in the new Neath-based Championship club?

Details of a new Championship One club to be based in south Wales will be unveiled on Friday as the Rugby Football League anxiously await news of the Crusaders' proposed move to Wrexham.

Plans to hold a press conference in north Wales have twice been put on hold after talks between a Wrexham consortium and Crusaders' owner Leighton Samuel reached a critical stage.

It was hoped to combine news of the relocation of the Super League outfit with the launch of a new Neath-based club but talks over the transfer of ownership of the Crusaders are thought to have hit a snag.

With just seven weeks to go before the Crusaders are due to kick off engage Super League XV against defending champions Leeds Rhinos at the Racecourse Ground, there is growing anxiety among RFL officials.

No-one was available to comment on the latest Crusaders' situation but Wales Rugby League chairman Mark Rowley on Thursday night confirmed plans to launch a new club, to be known as South Wales.

"We're ready to rock and roll," said Rowley. "It will be a 99.9% Welsh team and will be based in Neath.

"I'm confident in the people involved and I believe the team will flourish."

The new club are currently interviewing for the position of head coach but national coach Iestyn Harris, who is on the backroom staff of the Crusaders, is likely to have some involvement.

The Championship fixtures have been delayed in order to incorporate the newcomers, who are set to kick off the season with a home game against Workington on February 28.