NORTH WALES CRUSADERS must show they have learned lessons from their early Challenge Cup exit, says head coach Anthony Murray.

The Wrexham club kick-off their 2020 League One campaign at London Skolars on Sunday, looking to bounce back from last weekend’s frustrating cup exit to Hunslet.

Despite leading for much of the fourth round tie, the Cru were eliminated by a late Tom Ashton try at The Queensway Stadium

Though encouraged by his side’s gritty defensive display, Murray says better game management and discipline are essential this weekend.

He said: “I’ll take nothing away from my players - I thought they were outstanding last weekend. We stuck to task as much as we could.

“I think sometimes you’ve just got stay in control of the game. When you get the lead you’ve got to do those little things right, the thing that keep you edging in front and keeping the momentum with you.

“We didn’t do that at times against Hunslet and we let them off a bit, and if you give them an opportunity, they have the quality to take it.

“We’ve got to learn from it and roll up our sleeves so we don’t make any of the same mistakes.

“Some of our attacking play caused a lot of problems for Hunslet and if we can maintain those kinds of levels we’ll hurt other teams as well. ”

There was little to separate North Wales and London in the league standings last term, with the seventh-placed Cru finishing three points clear of their rivals.

Murray’s side edged the meetings between the clubs last year, bouncing back from a narrow 19-18 away reverse with a convincing

36-18 home victory.

The Cru also savoured Challenge cup success against the Skolars, a side that Murray holds in high regard.

“They are always tough game when we play Skolars and I think we’ve been two quite well-matched sides in the last few years,” he said.

“There’s never a lot in it when we play them. I think the most important thing for us is that we iron out the negatives and the disappointment from the end of the Hunslet game and go in positive.

“We’ve got lots to build on in these coming weeks and I’ve emphasised to the players just how important it is that we make a strong start to the season. We need momentum behind us from the start and a win at London would be the perfect start for us.”

The Cru remain without injured trio Karl Ashall, Joe Ryan and Matt Reid for the clash.

Skolars will have newly-signed Australian hooker Ryan Cane available after signing a one-year deal.

The 23 year-old previously played for Cabramatta RL, Western Suburbs Magpie and East Campbelltown in Australia before relocating to London last month.

Head coach, Jermaine Coleman said: “Ryan is a very small player but comes with a massive character, he is really exciting and dynamic at dummy half, adds another threat to our attack and will add some pressure to the current hookers that we have.”

The opening League One weekend sees Barrow Raiders head to Doncaster, Coventry Bears host Newcastle Thunder, Hunslet visit West Wales Raiders, and Workington Town entertain Keighley Cougars.