Bid for new Bridgend-based team

A south Wales consortium have made a bid to enter a Bridgend-based team in Championship One for the 2010 league.

The team would be based at the Brewery Field, vacated by Super League side Crusaders who could relocate to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

But Championship One clubs will have the final say on the bid.

"We have had an expression of interest from a club which is being evaluated," said Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood.

"It would be a new geographical area as far as the Championship is concerned."

The 2010 fixtures are being held back in case the Bridgend consortium get the go-ahead.

The Crusaders were based in Bridgend since 2006, when they were first admitted into the semi-professional ranks.

A plan was in place to move to Newport's Rodney Parade for 2010 because the Brewery Field was considered inadequate for Super League.

But there are reports of a financial crisis with owner Leighton Samuel now thought to be ready to hand over the club with talk of a move to Wrexham on the horizon.

The Crusaders' elevation to Super League saw rugby league establish a market in south Wales that the owners of the Brewery Field ground are keen to maintain.

Maintaining a presence in Bridgend would give a second career option to the increasing number of young players being developed by Wales, who last month won the European Cup under new coach Iestyn Harris.