WAKE- CUP KALL
Red Devils ace Watkins rises to Challenge
KALLUM WATKINS says Salford must see the Challenge Cup as a golden opportunity, rather than worry about the prestige of the event.
The competition lost six teams when Toronto withdrew and the Championship and League One seasons didn’t restart, forcing a re- draw for matches largely behind closed doors.
Salford go into tonight’s quarter- finals against 2018 winners Catalans having not yet played a round this year.
But Red Devils new boy
Watkins – who makes his debut against the Dragons – says the club’s cup history as past winners and six- time runners- up over- rides that.
Lifelong Salford fan
Watkins said: “The crowds not being in the stadium makes it a totally different atmosphere to the usual
Challenge Cup, and teams have had to pull out.
“It’s an odd year but this is still an opportunity to get to a final and win a trophy.
“The Challenge Cup is a proud part of Salford’s history and we have to concentrate on that and not worry about circumstances.”
Watkins has been brought back to his boyhood club by
Red Devils coach Ian Watson after short spells at Gold Coast Titans and Toronto, although he didn’t play a game for the latter of those two.
Watson is confident he can help the 29- year- old recapture the form that saw him recognised as one of the world’s best centres during his trophy- laden time with Leeds Rhinos.
Among Watkins’ winners medals are two from the Challenge Cup, so he is fully aware of its stature.
He added: “Being able to do that twice is a huge honour and one I’m very grateful for.
“Now, playing for Salford where it all began as a supporter and a ball- boy, this means a lot to me.
“It’s been an up and down season for Salford so far.
“Our defence has been the main issue recently but if we can get a bit more consistency there then the results will come because with the ball we can be lethal.
“Getting to the Grand Final last year was a great success, now we want to push on.”