Anthony Murray believes today's derby clash with West Wales Raiders is the 'perfect' game to kick-off his second stint with North Wales Crusaders.

The Wrexham-based club moved swiftly to appoint Murray as head coach on Wednesday evening, after dismissing Mike Grady just two days earlier.

Murray returns to the club he coached between 2014-2016 which saw him lead the club to two finals and success in the iPro Sport Cup.

And while he admits that the week's events have felt like 'whirlwind', Yorkshireman Murray is relishing a return to competitive return to action at Llanelli side West Wales Raiders tomorrow.

He said: "I’m really pleased to be back, and I can’t wait to get going at Crusaders once again.

“It’s been a really quick turnaround for everyone. From being on the way to training at Siddal on Tuesday and getting a call from Andy Moulsdale about the role to being appointed on Wednesday evening it has been it has been a whirlwind.

“But I’m looking forward to getting back out in front of the fans at Crusaders and I can’t wait to hear them all on Friday.

"In some ways it's the perfect game for my first match back. They don’t come much bigger than a Welsh derby and it should be a big test for us.

“I think that West Wales will be tough opponents and will be a completely different side to the one who visited the Queensway Stadium during pre-season.

"That game was very one-sided and ended as a whitewash, but this weekend will be much closer, I think.

"There is quality there with the likes of Morgan Evans at prop who I've worked with before and has got international experience.

"This will be a big test for our squad too."

Murray welcomes Alan Hadcroft, Stephen Wild and Jonny Leather into his backroom team for the season ahead.

While Murray is familiar with many of the current Cru squad from his earlier tenure, time constraints have prevented him from

taking a training session ahead of today's game.

But he insists he will take counsel from assistant coach Johnny Leather and CEO Andy Moulsdale who have overseen squad preparations this week.

Murray said: "That's the plan. Johnny and Andy have taken sessions this week, so I'll be asking for advice on team selection.

"I've watched a video of the Oldham game and I have some ideas of things we can look to improve on heading into the West Wales game.

“I have a great relationship with both Alan and Stephen having worked with theme here before, and I’m also looking forward to working with Jonny Leather who has worked really hard at the club over the last 18 months.”

League One fixtures: Bradford Bulls v Oldham; Coventry Bears v Newcastle Thunder; Doncaster v York City Knights; Hemel Stags v London Skolars; Hunslet v Keighley Cougars; Whitehaven v Workington Town.