Celtic Crusaders and Salford City Reds meet in the Co-operative National League One Grand Final in Warrington tomorrow, with promotion of both clubs to an expanded 14-team engage Super League competition guaranteed by their successful licence applications in July.

Rather than promotion being at stake, this year's final provides an indication of where the strengths of teams a division below the engage Super League rest. Victory would be seen by either club as “legitimising” their elevation to the sport's elite through the new licensing system.

Salford have yo-yoed between the top flight and National League One for several years, whereas the Bridgend-based Crusaders are in only their third professional season and last year earned automatic promotion by winning the National League Two title. It has been a remarkable rise by the club, which can be topped off by victory in a first appearance in a final.

The Crusaders beat Salford 44-18 at The Willows in the qualifying semi-final and Salford made sure of a rematch by thrashing Whitehaven 66-18 in the final eliminator. “I think we have the slight advantage,” Shaun McRae, the Salford coach and National League One coach of the year, said. “The Crusaders did a really good smash-and-grab on us two weeks ago, but we learnt a lot from that. We went into that game with no fear of losing. But we had the fear factor against Whitehaven and that had a galvanising effect on our blokes.”

John Dixon, the 56-year-old Australian coach who has helped to inspire the Crusaders' rise through the ranks, said: “All Grand Finals start on an even keel. The best two teams meet on a given day at a neutral venue. What happens after that, who knows? I don't think there's much between us, that's for sure.

“We've been playing good footy for the past six weeks or so and the squad's fit, healthy and feeling good, so there are plenty of reasons to be positive. We are looking forward to playing at Warrington. It is a wide pitch, which suits us, and if it's a sunny day then we'll be very happy.

“We have a high regard for Salford. We have played them four times and the score stands at two wins each. We know that we can compete strongly against them, so that gives us a stack of optimism. The results of previous matches won't count for anything. Games are won on the day and the players understand that.”

Gareth Dean, the former Wigan Warriors prop, is the Crusaders' only injury concern. Damien Quinn, the stand-off and only ever-present in the team, beat off competition this week from the Salford duo of Craig Stapleton and John Wilshere to the National League One player of the year award. His influence, along with Tony Duggan, the full back, who needs a further two tries to notch a century for the club, cannot be underestimated by Salford.

It is an indication of the Crusaders' growing strength that their colts team meet Bramley Buffaloes in the first of the day's three finals at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the Conference competition.

Promotion is the prize for the winners of the preceding National League Two play-offs final between Oldham, who were beaten by Featherstone Rovers in last year's equivalent fixture, and Doncaster, who are into their second final of the year under the guidance of Ellery Hanley, the Great Britain legend.

Doncaster were crushed by Salford in the Northern Rail Cup final in July, but Tony Miller, their assistant coach, is confident that they can upset the odds this time. “It's crunch time for us, but we're going into the game in good form and we're quietly confident,” he said.

Previous meetings

2008 meetings: National League One: Salford 24 Celtic Crusaders 22; Crusaders 20 Salford 10. Play-offs: Salford 18 Crusaders 44. National League Cup: Crusaders 20 Salford 36.

Leading scorers: Crusaders: Tries: T Duggan 14; Goals: MLennon 74; Points: Lennon 163. Salford: Tries: P White 14; Goals: JWilshere 51; Points: Wilshere 134.

- Live coverage on Sky Sports 2 from 3.30pm tomorrow.