CARL FORSTER says North Wales Crusaders will be using the forthcoming 1895 Cup campaign as additional pre-season preparations.

Cru open their season at Colwyn Bay’s Stadiwm CSM on January 28 when they host Championship Swinton Lions in the 1895 Cup.

Head coach Forster, whose side lost out 32-18 in a friendly at Championship Barrow last Saturday, told the club’s website: “We’ve got to use the 1895 Cup as a pre-season competition, we have to be realistic about what our goals and aims are this season, and our main focus is League One, it is as simple as that.

“Don’t get me wrong, we want to be competitive, we’ve got big games coming up against Swinton and Widnes, and it’s about putting a show on to our fans as well, so we will go onto those games with the aim of being competitive.”