CHALLENGE CUP FOURTH ROUND: Leeds v Celtic Crusaders
Venue: Headingley Date: Friday, 18 April Kick-off: 2000 BST
BBC Coverage: BBC Radio Leeds on FM, DAB and Online at bbc.co.uk/radioleeds

By Nabil Hassan

The Leeds Rhinos players could be forgiven for not knowing too much about the Celtic Crusaders when they run out for Friday's Challenge Cup fourth-round tie.

But it's safe to assume the team from south Wales won't have the same problem with the world champions' star-studded line-up.

For the Crusaders, who were only formed in 2005, Friday's trip to Headingley is the biggest game in their short history.

But the match also provides a real opportunity for the National League One side to prove they are worthy of a Super League place.

The Bridgend-based club joined 18 other clubs in bidding for one of the coveted Super League licences, which will be handed out in July after the Rugby Football League studies the strength of each application.

"It is very exciting, to start something brand new and aim as high as we are and we have a real chance to do something special here," the club's Australian coach John Dixon told BBC Sport.

"Friday will show us exactly how far we have to go."

I think the key is not to spend too much time looking at the team sheet and just remember that it is 13 versus 13 Crusaders coach - John Dixon

The Crusaders' squad has a few former Super League players and the odd seasoned pro from abroad, but is largely made up of young talent who hope be playing fixtures like Friday's on a regular basis in the not too distant future.

"We won't be in awe of them but we will respect them," said Dixon.

"I think the key is not to spend too much time looking at the team sheet and just remember that it is 13 versus 13."

Last year, the Crusaders provided the opposition for NRL (Australia's equivalent to Super League) giants the Brisbane Broncos last year in a pre-World Club Challenge warm-up game. But for a club who have only being playing competitive rugby for two seasons, the match against Leeds is a huge occasion.

"We are excited by the contest and the prospect of taking on the world champions and getting the measure of ourselves against the very best," added Dixon.

"Expectation is not on us, it is on them. We are upbeat and focused on what we have to do.

"The wonderful thing is they won't need any motivation this week. This is a platform for them to showcase their talent and that is focus enough."

The Crusaders have had to battle to establish themselves in the rugby union stronghold of south Wales, but their struggle is put into perspective by Dixon's personal fight against prostate cancer.

Josh Hannay played in the NRL for North Queensland Cowboys

Dixon was diagnosed with the disease in 2005 and had to undergo immediate surgery to remove the growth.

But a few months later he was in Wales to take charge of the team, his first role as a head coach after spending several years as assistant to the legendary Wayne Bennett at Brisbane.

From the off, the Crusaders have made no effort to hide their ambition of making it into Super League.

The task is made all the more difficult by the fact that they are surrounded by four professional rugby union regions and 14 further semi-professional clubs from the rival code.

But after two successive promotions, the Crusaders find themselves in with a realistic shout as the RFL decides which clubs meet the criteria to win a licence.

"We like to think our application is a strong one," added Dixon.

"Establishing rugby league in Wales is the best opportunity the sport has of improving and expanding in Britain.

"We think we have some players who have big futures in the game and we hope they will be playing it with us.

"It is all going the right way. When we started, the aspiration of the Super League was fanciful. As things stand, we have a real chance.

"We are optimistic, we are talented and these are exciting times in south Wales.

"We have an academy side that is going well, and there is a real feel for us in the community. The network of rugby league is expanding throughout Wales."

606: DEBATE How do you rate the Crusaders' chances against Leeds?

But in the short term it is Leeds that occupy the club's thoughts, and Crusaders centre Josh Hannay is one of several senior players whose experience will be vital on Friday.

Hannay certainly has big-match experience having played for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL for eight years as well as representing Queensland in the State of Origin.

The 28-year-old is honest in his assessment of Friday's game.

"I've been fortunate enough to play big games for the Cowboys and in the State of Origin," he told BBC Sport.

"This is as stiff a test as I can remember and it doesn't get any tougher than playing Leeds Rhinos on their home turf.

"There is no doubt that it will be a step up but we have enough guys who have Super League experience and who have played a decent standard in Australia so that will be vital.

"We will learn a lot about ourselves and about how serious we are about playing Super League rugby."