Dixon's Crusaders take on Salford on Saturday

Celtic Crusaders head coach John Dixon is confident the club will produce more Welsh players during their three-year Super League franchise.

The club currently have just three home-grown players, with the rest of the squad mostly made up by players from Australia and New Zealand.

"Our youth development network will grow and grow," Dixon told the BBC's Super League Show.

"That has to happen for the long-term sustainability of the club."

The Crusaders lost their debut Super League match to defending champions Leeds Rhinos 28-6 at Headingley on Friday, but Dixon is confident that he can build a successful side around a core of Welsh talent.

"The quality of young men from Wales will start to come in and fill the ranks of the Crusaders," said Dixon.

"I believe that fact will make us one of the dominant forces in the game in years to come.

"For this season we are confident in our personnel in both their ability on the field and their personality and professionalism," he added.

The whole point of this franchise system is to bring more young Welsh boys up to learn off the more experienced players Geraint Rhys Davies

However the Crusaders admit that one of their biggest problems is attracting Welsh youngsters to play rugby league in what is a passionate rugby union nation.

"The Welsh League factor isn't there in Wales at the moment," said forward Geraint Rhys Davies

"Quite simply there are not enough Welsh boys good enough to play Super League at this time.

"The whole point of this franchise system is to bring more young Welsh boys up to learn off the more experienced players and blood them slowly into the first team."

You can watch the The Super League Show again on the BBC iPlayer or via the red button on BBC TV.

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