Rangers at the heart of new era

RUGBY LEAGUE: SADDLEWORTH Rangers under-18s kick-off their Gillette Conference Youth League campaign on Sunday with a home match against Featherstone Lions.

There are 24 teams in total, split evenly in East and West divisions. Rangers are in the East section.

The top three from each division will make it through to the-end-of season play-offs.

The competition, which was previously known as the Gillette National Youth League, is the first to switch to a March to November playing season and has been rebranded ready for the new campaign.

All the clubs have been busy preparing for the coming season with the North Wales Crusaders recently holding open trials, overseen by Engage Super League Crusaders head coach and former dual code international Iestyn Harris as well as local community coaches.

Oldham-born Harris has been a huge supporter of developing Welsh talent in his roles at both Crusaders and with the Welsh national side.

The season starts tomorrow with a derby between Ince Rose Bridge and Wigan St Judes.