
Crusaders look to dodge Thunder to maintain title quest
It's North Wales who currently sit at the top of the standings, while Newcastle are at the foot of the table.
Despite this, head coach Forster will be taking nothing for granted ahead of the trip.
He said: 'We know what Newcastle are about, they're a young and hungry side who won't go away at any point during the game and we need to be well aware of that.
'They go into Sunday with nothing to lose, whilst we've got a target on our back sat where we are in the league, that will naturally raise their game too and I'm expecting a difficult afternoon.
'Both times we've played them this year what's stood out to me is their attitude to never give up, whatever the scoreline is they will keep attacking you, so our defence will need to be switched on.'
The first meeting between the sides this season came in February, when Crusaders triumphed 60-0 in the 1895 Cup.
It was a big day for Crusaders' captain Chris Barratt as he made his 200th career appearance.
Then, in April, North Wales came out on top 74-0 in a league encounter. Ollie Brookes crossed the whitewash for four tries on the day.
One aspect that has kept Crusaders on the front foot this season has been substitutions.
Forster told CruCast: 'You don't have to get to a particular minute to impress or there's not a certain standard what we're trying to achieve.
'What we're trying to achieve is quality and... I think all our middles could do big minutes.'
Forster added: 'This is where, even more so, credit goes to Baz (Barratt), when you have a middle, or when Eavo (Josh Eaves) starts, when you have a middle and a nine that can play 50, 60 minutes easily straight through, it gives you a lot of scope on your substitutions.'
Crusaders sat out last weekend's action and results mean they are now three points clear.
Chasing Workington Town and Midlands Hurricanes can both achieve 27 points this season, which means that three wins from their remaining six matches will see Crusaders get to 28 points.
If everything goes to plan for Crusaders over the next few weeks, they could wrap up the league title with victory away to Rochdale Hornets on August 10.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Swinton Lions will play host to Midlands Hurricanes, while Whitehaven visit Keighley Cougars.
In further action, Goole Vikings welcome Rochdale Hornets.

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