Rhys Williams has played under Iestyn Harris with the Welsh national team

Crusaders have signed Wales winger Rhys Williams on loan from Warrington as they prepares for Sunday's Super League opener against Salford in Cardiff.

But coach Iestyn Harris has conceded defeat in a bid to get three of their overseas players in the country for the Millennium Magic curtain-raiser.

Second rower Frank Winterstein, half-back Rhys Hanbury and new signing Hep Cahill all have visa issues.

But 21-year-old Williams is set for his Crusaders debut against Salford.

"Rhys is someone I've worked with in the Welsh squad," said new Crusaders and Wales coach Harris.

"He lives in and around the Wrexham area and he's a super talented kid with a lot of potential.

"Warrington have been good enough to let him come out on loan, initially for a month."

Williams scored six tries in three appearances for Wales in their successful 2010 European Cup campaign to secure a Welsh team rejuvenated under Harris a place in this autumn's Four Nations tournament.

Even if they came this week, we'd struggle to get them in for Sunday so we've pretty much had to write them off for this week Iestyn Harris on the three players affected by visa issues

"Unfortunately for him, he's behind some very good wingers at Warrington," continued Harris.

"But he's going to get lots of opportunities with us and he's going to add some real quality and speed to us on the edge. I'm excited about working alongside him."

The Welsh franchise will start Super League XV on minus four points after the Rugby Football League punished them for breaching insolvency rules.

And to add to that, the Crusaders are set to be below strength with their Millennium Stadium opening in Cardiff.

Second rower Winterstein and half-Rhys Hanbury are stranded in Australia while New Zealand Cahill also await the arrival of their visas.

"We're at the mercy of the borders agency and hopefully we're talking days rather than weeks," said Harris.

"It's out of our control. We've done everything we need to do and we're waiting on them.

"Even if they came this week, we'd struggle to get them in for Sunday so we've pretty much had to write them off for this week.

"Luckily it's at the start of the year when the majority of the squad is healthy and hopefully when they come in, fingers crossed, by round two it's going to add some more pressure on the performers from round one to keep their place."

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