Kingstone Press League 1 Preview: North Wales Crusaders v Newcastle Thunder

It’s a short turnaround for Newcastle Thunder following their midweek defeat in the iPro Sport Cup semi-final but coach Stanley Gene took plenty of positives from the game.

“We’re a side that is building and we’re getting to a standard where I want the boys to be,” he said.

“Last year when we came to Swinton they flogged us 66-4. At times I thought we could have won the game. Swinton are a side with quality all over the park but we showed that we could compete at this level.

“We’ve got a massive game against North Wales. For me they are a class side who are well drilled but we will be ready.”