North Wales Crusaders can steal an early march on their League One rivals when they host Doncaster at Queensway Stadium on Sunday.

All other scheduled games in the division have been postponed, with their replayed Challenge Cup games taking precedence this weekend.

Impressed by his side's dominant attacking display at Rochdale Mayfield in the Challenge Cup, Murray is now targeting a strong opening to the league campaign.

“I think it's really important that we start the season positively”, he said.

“There are a lot of new faces in the squad but it has felt like we've been finding our feet in pre-season and we're seeing some progress now.

“That's what this season is all about really - progress.

“We weren't far off from making the play-offs last year and we have to aim to go one better this time around.

“Trying to get off to a winning start would be great and would give us the platform to push on after that.”

After three successive pre-season defeats to Barrow, Widnes Vikings, Whitehaven, last weekend's 64-6 win at Rochdale Mayfield provided a timely boost.

Off-season signing Gav Rodden was the Cru's star man, running in four of his side's 11 tries against the amateur side.

While encouraged by the display, Murray accepts that Doncaster pose a much sterner test for his side.

Beaten League One play-off finalists last season, the Cru coach fully expects the South Yorkshire side to be among the promotion frontrunners again this year.

“We know this will be a totally different game to Rochdale,” added Murray.

“Some of our sets at Rochdale were really well executed. We played with a lot of confidence and really opened them up at times.

“But Doncaster will be coming here for a win. They have their own aspirations of getting into the Championship this season.

“Defensively they are going to push us much harder than we were in the cup last weekend.

“In terms of field position, Doncaster will look to dominate and we have to be ready for that and work harder for it.

“It won't be easy, but we're positive and looking to give the best possible account of ourselves.”

Tommy Johnson will skipper the Cru, with joint-captain Karl Ashall sidelined with injury and awaiting an operation.

The hosts have further injury concerns ahead of the game, with prop Joe Ryan sidelined and utility back Jack Holmes nursing a broken hand.

Conversely, Richard Horne's Doncaster head into the game with a near full-strength squad.

Discussing the Dons' 2020 league opener, chief executive Carl Hall told the club's website: “Once you get that jersey you don’t want to let it go so hopefully the 17 selected on Sunday do the business and get us two points.

“We’re in a good place with virtually a fully fit squad of players, we only have a couple of boys out so they’re all competing.

“We’re in two cup competitions as well as the league campaign so a healthy squad will put us in a good place with fixtures coming thick and fast.”