Salford Red Devils travel to the DW Stadium on Sunday to face Wigan Warriors in their final pre-season test of 2023.
Paul Rowley’s side got off to a winning start last Sunday, dusting the off-season cobwebs by retaining the Peter Smethurst Trophy against Swinton Lions.
The Red Devils first-team built some valuable match fitness in the first forty, with Stuart Wilkinson’s Reserves allowed the second forty to showcase their talent.
Rhys Williams scored the Entertainers first try of 2023 in the left corner, but further crosses from Ken Sio, Andy Ackers, Ellis Longstaff and Ryan Brierley handed Salford a commanding 26-0 lead at the break.
The Betfred Championship quality Swinton possess took over in the second-half, but Wilkinson’s lads – including now-first-team members Joe Coope-Franklin and Billy Walkley – more than held their own.
Attentions have now turned to Sunday, where Salford will be facing Wigan in aid of Sam Powell’s testimonial. The hooker has enjoyed a stellar rugby league career and the game will act as a celebration of his incredible contribution to the sport over the years.
Rowley and his staff will have this final 80 minutes to assess his squad before the Betfred Super League kick-off on February 17th. Tickets are still available for our clash at Leigh Sports Village, click HERE to join us.
Squad News
Paul Rowley has named a 21-man travelling squad, which includes a potential Salford debut for Sam Stone. The back-rower joined the Club from Leigh Leopards in early November and arrives at the Salford Stadium with a lot of potential to progress his already vast rugby league knowledge.
Ben Hellewell may also make his second Red Devils debut following a successful two-week loan spell last season from Featherstone Rovers.
Full squad: Ryan Brierley, Kallum Watkins, Tim Lafai, Brodie Croft, Marc Sneyd, Jack Ormondroyd, Andy Ackers, King Vuniyayawa, Sam Stone, Oliver Partington, Chris Atkin, Tyler Dupree, Shane Wright, Alex Gerrard, Ellis Longstaff, Amir Bourouh, Rhys Williams, Matt Costello, Ben Hellewell and James Greenwood.
Rowley’s preview
For the first time in 2023, Head Coach Paul Rowley addressed the media ahead of this particular fixture.
The new Betfred Super League season was obviously high on the agenda, with everyone keen to know the match fitness of our squad with the opening game just around the corner.
“They’ll do more minutes this week against better opposition,” Rowley said.
“It’s a difficult challenge at the best of times going to Wigan, so it’ll be a good benchmark as friendlies are for, getting match fit and preparing for the rigours of the season.”
There was also plenty of praise for Powell; a player Rowley and his staff hold in the highest of respects. When asked whether the opposotion will have that extra motivation to win the game for their teammate, Rowley replied: “Nothing less; it doesn’t matter who they play, that’s the Wigan team and they have that culture.
“But we want to put our best foot forward for Sam Powell too.
“Sam is held in high respect from our Club as well from the outside looking in, so we want to pay our respects to Sam’s career by putting our own performance in and making sure it’s a good quality game.”
🗣 "𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸…"
Listen to everything Paul Rowley had to say ahead of our final pre-season clash against Wigan Warriors by clicking below…👇
💪 #TogetherStronger | 🔴👹
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) February 3, 2023
How to buy tickets
Pay on the day is still available for supporters who want to join us at the DW Stadium!
