Red Devils need a Tigers feat
WITH just one win from their opening four Betfred Super League fixtures, casual observers may suggest Salford are pretty much where they’d expect to be a month into the season – outside of the top eight and looking at a long season ahead.
If that was the case, an away trip to a rested Castleford Tigers – the stand-out team in last year’s competition – would be the worst possible fixture the Red Devils could have tomorrow, especially with Daryl Powell’s side having enjoyed an extra week’s rest after their fixture against Hull KR was lost to the weather.
But that’s not an opinion shared by Ian Watson, who believes his team’s performances have not been reflected in their results so far this season.
“We’ve had two bad halves of rugby this year – one against Wigan and one here at St Helens,” said the Salford coach.
“It’s up to us to step up and make sure we are doing things for 80 minutes.”
Indeed, the losses have been to the competition’s only two undefeated sides, Saints and Wakefield, as well as the Warriors in the opening round.
The Red Devils were arguably the better side against Trinity and came within a kick of victory, before putting in a very strong performance in the win over Hull KR.
And Castleford, now without the sacked Zak Hardaker, have struggled to get going, losing by 40 points to St Helens on the opening weekend before limping to a onepoint win over Widnes and overcoming an injury and jet-lagged Hull FC.
The Tigers are without ex-Red Devil and 2017 top try-scorer Greg Eden for tomorrow’s fixture, so former Leigh back James Clare could make the first appearance of his second spell with the club.
Mark Flanagan retains his place in the Salford squad after featuring for the first time this season last week, while George Griffin comes in to replace Craig Kopczak.
Weller Hauraki has recovered from the slight knock that saw him miss out against Saints.
ROCHDALE welcome Barrow Raiders to the Crown Oil Arena, but will be without dual-reg pair Harvey Livett and Jack Johnson, with the latter out for the season with a badly broken leg.
However, Joe Taira, Gary Middlehurst and Lewis Palfrey could all be set to return.
Ben Reynolds’ injury means Jordan Lilley goes straight into the LEIGH squad to face Halifax.
Micky Higham retains his spot after coming out of retirement last week.
SWINTON cannot call upon Romain Navarrete from Wigan as he is set to feature for his parent club against Wakefield, but the Lions do have Chris Hankinson back from injury.
Concussion protocols will keep Adam Jones out of OLDHAM’s match against York at the Vestacare Stadium, although Scott Naylor will have access to players from dual registration partners Salford.