Crusaders v Leeds (Fri)
ENGAGE SUPER LEAGUE
Venue: Racecourse Ground Date: Friday, 29 January Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio Leeds FM & online. Live on Sky Sports 1
Super League Show: 1300 GMT, Sunday, 31 January, BBC One and online
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Crusaders could field eight debutants for Friday's Super League season-opener against champions Leeds at Wrexham.
Gareth Raynor and Jamie Thackray are included, as is Nick Youngquest, Vince Mellars, Michael Witt, Rocky Trimarchi, Tommy Lee and Frank Winterstein.
Leeds' new Kiwi signing Greg Eastwood has reported fit to make his debut.
But, while centre Keith Senior and prop Ryan Bailey are fit after minor pre-season operations, England captain Jamie Peacock is rested.
New Zealand World Cup winner Eastwood, 22, who has taken up a three-year contract as a belated replacement for Gareth Ellis, has been cleared by specialists to return to action from a wrist injury.
The former Brisbane Broncos back row forward has missed all the Rhinos' pre-season trial matches after undergoing surgery on the injury he picked up while on Four Nations duty with the Kiwis in October.
But, 12 months after his arrival was delayed by visa problems, he has been named in Brian McClennan's 19-man squad for the trip to the Racecourse Ground.
"I can't wait to finally wear the blue and amber and become a Rhino," said Eastwood.
"There were times last year when I wondered whether it would ever happen but I am just so happy to be here now.
"My mum will be up back home regardless of what time of the morning it is, worrying about me making my debut.
"I'll phone her as soon as the game is over so she can get some rest."
Centre Senior, one of only five men to have played in every season of Super League since the start in 1996, and prop Bailey are set for their first appearance since last year's Grand Final.
Brett Delaney is very good at putting his wingers away. He's going to be a fine addition for the Rhinos
Leeds coach Brian McClennan
But Peacock, whose last outing was for England in the Four Nations final in November, has been given another week off, having also sat out Leeds' pre-season matches.
Leeds' other main newcomer Brett Delaney is also set for his debut.
And McClennan is backing him to fill the gap left by rugby union convert Lee Smith, following his move to Wasps.
Delaney has not played a competitive fixture since damaging a hamstring while playing for the Titans last July. But McClennan insists that he will be a success in England.
"Brett is a specialist right centre and I think that will help us a lot," said McClennan. "For the last two seasons we've had to develop people in that position.
"A couple of years ago Carl Ablett played there and Lee Smith, who is predominantly a wing or a full-back, did a good job last year.
"Brett's going to be a fine addition for the Rhinos, I'm sure of that. He's very good at putting his wingers away and I'm sure Scott Donald will be looking forward to playing alongside him.
"He's got great timing, he reads the game so well but he's also not afraid to roll his sleeves up when necessary."
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Crusaders (from): Youngquest, Mellars, Raynor, Witt, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, Chan, Trimarchi, Dyer, Lee, Winterstein, Peek, Thackray, James, Flower, White, Kear, Lupton
Leeds Rhinos (from): Webb, Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Eastwood, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Watkins
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8481235.stm