Former Great Britain international Wild looking forward to playing in Big Welsh Derby

By Josh Pay in Wrexham

AHEAD of the Big Welsh Derby against South Wales Scorpions at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday (kick-off 5pm), North Wales Crusaders’ former England and Great Britain international Stephen Wild says that the focus is on “improving on the last game”.

Crusaders are going in search of their fourth consecutive win and will be aiming to ruin the party for their southern rivals in the third match of a fantastic triple header in the Welsh capital.

“Preparation for this week doesn’t change, it’s all about improving” Wild said. “This year South Wales have made some good signings.

“They are improving on and off the field and under new ownership they look to have some stability at the club.”

Having played in the fixture last year Wild believes that derby games are always a little different to normal: “I think derby games are generally a bit faster and more physical than normal ones.

“They have a little more spice to them and hopefully we will be able to get on top and carry on our good form.

“Like the game I think the atmosphere is also different, both sets of fans are a little bit louder and really get behind the game.”

The Crusaders go into the game on the back of two weeks without a league fixture, something which the 35-year old hopes won’t have an effect come Saturday.

“I think having the week off is probably not the ideal preparation, but, that’s just how it is,” Wild adds.

“We played really well against York and then we look to improve, so having the break just means that we have to work harder in training to get that intensity up like a game.”

Having chosen to stay with the Crusaders this season, Wild thinks that the Crusaders’ squad could be one of the strongest in a long time: “On a personal level, so far this year has been okay.

“I think it has been a bit stop start for me and it’s been hard to get some consistency.

“The squad that Anthony Murray has put together is very strong and could be one of the best squads we’ve had for a long time.

“It will just take time to gel.”

The day starts at 12.30pm with a Conference League South match between local rivals Valley Cougars and Torfaen Tigers before Super League Academy side Salford Red Devils give South Wales Scorpions’ under 20s their biggest test yet at 2.30pm. The Big Welsh Derby between Scorpions and Crusaders in Kingstone Press League 1 concludes events.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £5 concessions and £1 for children. Hospitality tickets are priced at £30 per person or £250 for a table of ten. This ticket includes access to all three matches plus the celebrity dinner featuring the three former Wales and Great Britain stars. They can be bought by going to www.scorpionsrl.com.

What do you think?

Post on our forum – http://swscorpionsrl.proboards.com/