GWENT dual-code legend David Watkins has spoken of his disappointment after Welsh rugby league side the Crusa-ders dramatically withdrew from the Super League yesterday.

But the Blaina-born Newport outside-half, the only player to have captained both the British and Irish Lions and the Great Britain rugby league team, isn’t surprised the game hasn’t been a great success at the highest level in Wales.

The Crusaders have failed to get the fans and financial clout to make them a success since being awarded a Super League licence in 2009 and it was revealed yesterday that they withdrew their application for a new one for the next three seasons. They explained that money worries were behind the decision.

Watkins, who lives in Newport and was Crusaders president, said he was downcast this latest bid to expand the appeal of the 13-man code beyond its traditional heartland of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria looks to have failed. He was also at the forefront of a venture which tried to make a go of league in South Wales 30 years ago.

He was managing director of the Cardiff City Blue Dragons, formed in 1981 and based at the city’s Ninian Park, but they went out of business after just five years.

Watkins said: “It is disappointing for Wales that both codes don’t seem to be sustainable at the top level.

“Rugby union has such a hold in South Wales that it is difficult for league to take root.”

And he admitted his bewilderment at the Crusaders’ decision to move to Wrexham rather than Newport, the former a football town and struggling even to support a top flight side in that sport.

“I was surprised then that they decided to leave Newport for Wrexham – it’s not a rugby area,” he said. “I would have liked to have seen the Crusaders give Newport a chance although the financial pressure of travelling up to the North of England for away games is restrictive.”

The troubled club had planned to move to Newport’s Rodney Parade for the 2010 season after deciding to leave Bridgend’s Brewery Field the year before.

In the end they played just one game at Rodney Parade, in August 2009, against the league’s eventual champions Leeds Rhinos.

After promising to bring world class rugby league to Gwent, their decision to go to Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground left a bitter taste. Now the Crusaders’ dreams of being a sustainable franchise at the highest level in North Wales looks to be in tatters.

The Crusaders have struggled again this season and are bottom of the table with just four wins from 22 games.

They were placed in administration in November 2010 in a bid to remove the burden of debt they inherited before moving to Wrexham, thought to be around £1.25m.

That saw them start this season with minus-four points under new coach Iestyn Harris after the former dual code international and current Wales boss took over as head coach from Brian Noble.

The Rugby Football League announced the 14 clubs to take part in the 2012-14 seasons at Old Trafford yesterday.

Wakefield Wildcats were expected to lose their place to make way for Championship side Widnes, who were granted a new licence back in March.

The RFL said there would now be discussions with the Crusaders about the club playing in the second tier Championship.