HEAD coach John Dixon has praised the "visionaries" who brought top-flight rugby league to South Wales on the day of the Celtic Crusaders' first Super League match at the Brewery Field.

Hull FC head to Bridgend this evening as Crusaders look to mark their home debut in the Super League with their opening win of the season.

The first two matches have brought away defeats at Leeds Rhinos and Salford City Reds.

And Dixon is bracing himself for another tough test against the visitors from the Kingston Communications Stadium.

"There were some visionaries who saw a window of opportunity for rugby league in South Wales, they saw an opportunity and they grabbed it," said Dixon.

"We've had some wonderful support behind us and two weeks in we're still very much getting to grips with things.

"Every week is a brand new challenge for us. This week we face Hull FC, who are one of the real names of rugby league in the UK.

"I'm pretty confident we've got a good handle on Hull.

"They're big and strong, very disciplined in their approach.

"They're a forward-dominated footy team and we'll have to meet the challenge that'll come down the middle."

Crusaders will today make a decision on the fitness of scrum-half Jace Van Dijk (neck) and replacement lock Jason Chan (hip), who were injured in the 28-16 defeat in Salford nine days ago.

Both will face fitness tests before tonight's 6pm kick-off, while Lincoln Withers definitely misses out with a knee injury.

Marshal Chalk, who along with Withers signed from the Canberra Raiders last summer, could be set for a Super League debut after being named in Dixon's 19-man squad.

Also included are Welsh international duo Jordan James and Ben Flower, who were not involved last week, while David Tangata-Toa, who was, will not feature.

Hull coach Richard Agar has made just one change to the 19-man squad that overcame Wigan last weekend.

Prop Paul King is ruled out with a shoulder injury and has been replaced by new signing Dominic Maloney, who could make his debut.

"It's still early days, every day brings a fresh challenge and a fresh set of things that we need to overcome," said Dixon.

"There were positive things in game one that I saw again in game two. We competed really well, overcame a score that could have ben very damaging and got ourselves in the frame.

"There is an acclimatisation process for our foreign players and that's happening.

"The players are adapting and they will be better because they've had a couple of games."

Celtic Crusaders: (from) T. Duggan, L. Dyer, J. Hannay, M. Dalle Cort, A. Blackwood, D. Quinn; J. Van Dijk, R. O'Hara, M. Bryant, A. Peek, D. Mapp, M. Chalk, M. Smith, P. Lupton, B. Flower, J. James, J. Chan, C. Beasley, N. Budworth.

Hull FC: (from) T. Byrne, M. Calderwood, G. Horne, K. Yeaman, T. Briscoe, R. Horne, C. Thorman, E. Dowes, S. Berrigan, P. Cusack, M. Burnett, D. Tickle, L. Radford, D. Washbrook, J. Thackray, D. Maloney, W. Manu, C. Hall, D. Houghton.