Christiaan Roets sees Welsh derby as a trial game for Wales squad

North Wales Crusaders’ Christiaan Roets believes Sunday’s Welsh derby will be like a trial game for the Welsh squad ahead of this autumn’s internationals.

The Crusaders travel to South Wales Scorpions this weekend hoping to be crowned the undisputed best team in Wales after their 34-22 victory at the Racecourse Ground earlier this season.

The reverse Championship 1 fixture at Neath will be Roets’ return to the Scorpions after playing in their first two seasons between 2009 and 2010.

He said: “We all want a place in the Wales side in the autumn and we’re all determined to play well so I think this should encourage a lot of people to come and watch.

“It is a Welsh derby and that’s a big game. Both teams haven’t had the season that they want but this is in its own elite final. It’s going to be a good game, very intense and quite an atmosphere.”

Roets was absent for the Crusaders in the first Welsh derby in over a century due to injury. However he is anxious to play in this weekend’s match and prove himself in front of the Welsh crowd.

He said: “There have been a lot of uphill struggles for me and my injuries this year but I’ve got through them.

“Although I’m still not 100 per cent fitness wise as I’ve been out for a while, I’m looking forward to competing, especially with more Wales internationals coming up later this year.”

Roets was part of the Wales squad that played in last season’s Four Nations.Wales will play England and France in an international tri-series in October.