Former Lion Gareth Thomas won 100 Wales caps as a rugby union player

Brian Noble has confirmed rugby league convert Gareth Thomas will make his Crusaders debut in Friday's Super League clash with Catalan Dragons.

The British and Irish Lions and Wales rugby union captain has been included in the Crusaders 19 man-squad to face the Dragons at The Racecourse.

He is expected to start on the wing after what the Crusaders say has been a crash course in rugby league.

"He's an absolutely quality player," said head coach Noble.

Eyebrows were raised when the Wales union legend joined the Wrexham-based club from the Cardiff Blues.

But on the evidence of last Friday's gallant Crusaders' defeat to St Helens 37-30, Thomas should relish the experience.

"He has practised really well," said Noble after that match.

"But it's been a bit strange when you are having to teach how to carry out the play-the-ball."

As well as impressing Noble the former rugby union back has earned the respect of his new team-mates in training.

"He's been doing well. He has been learning the game slowly but he has got some skills and his footwork is amazing," said Crusaders Captain Ryan O' Hara.

"Some of the stuff he's done in training has been unbelievable.

"He stepped past a couple of the boys during a simple defensive drill, which never happens in training!

"He's an immensely talented player who I'm really looking forward to seeing out on the field and seeing what he can do.

"He is really hungry and up for the challenge."

Thomas is one of two changes to the 19-man squad that lost at St Helens. Anthony Blackwood drops out while Ben Flower is added to the squad as Tommy Lee is still struggling with a ligament injury.

Catalans Dragons Head Coach Kevin Walters faces a selection headache after full-back Clint Greenshields was ruled out for three months after breaking his leg in Saturday's 20-16 defeat by Castleford.

Chris Walker, who filled in at full-back for the French outfit when Greenshields was taken off, was struggling with an ankle injury but has been deemed fit enough for the 19-man squad.

It is the latest injury blow for Catalans, who are already without regular half-back pair Adam Mogg and Thomas Bosc because of injury.

Thomas watched his new side lose to St Helens as the Welsh team were outscored by six tries to five.

But the Crusaders left with their pride intact and reputation enhanced as they battled back from 36-12 down to lose by just seven points.

Noble's men played some excellent rugby and never gave up and showed a second-half spirit - hitting the Saints with four tries - that would please Thomas and boss Noble.

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After Vince Mellars went over in the first half, Jamie Thackray, Gareth Raynor, Michael Witt and Anthony Blackwood all touched down in the second period.

And Noble admitted: "We asked for a bit of a response at half-time.

"We started the game on the back foot and Saints were far too quick for us.

"But we had more purpose to our play in the second half and, although we didn't quite achieve parity, we put in a big effort."

Crusaders, Super League's whipping boys and bottom club last year - won many admirers for their encouraging start to this season

"We have certainly got a pulse," said Noble.

"We know we need to stop digging a hole for ourselves and there were some salutary lessons there for us to learn from."

Saints looked a class above Crusaders in the first half as they ran in tries from James Roby, Kyle Eastmond, Francis Meli and Chris Dean.

Paul Clough and Leon Pryce touched down in the second half but St Helens coach Mick Potter was far from impressed with his side's defensive efforts.

But Potter paid tribute to Crusaders, insisting: "They're a quality team with a good coaching staff and I think they'll win a lot more games than they did last year."

Crusaders: from Gareth Thomas, Nick Youngquest, Tony Martin, Vince Mellars, Gareth Raynor, Michael Witt, Ryan O'Hara, Lincoln Withers, Mark Bryant, Weller Hauraki, Jason Chan, Rocky TrimarchiL uke Dyer, Frank Winterstein, Adam Peek, Jamie Thackray, Jordan James, Ben Flower, Elliot Kear, Peter Lupton.

Catalans: from Steve Bell, Sebastien Raguin, Chris Walker, Setaimata Sa, Dimitri Pelo, Cyril Stacul, Casey McGuire, David Ferriol, Kane Bentley, Dane Carlaw, Oliver Elima, David Guasch, Cyrille Gossard, Dallas Johnson, Jerome Guisset, Gregory Mounis, Jamal Fakir, Remi Casty, Tony Gigot.

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