Joe Mellor has returned to Paul Rowley’s starting thirteen for the first time in 2025 for tonight’s Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final.
It’s a huge boost, with the halfback-turned-hooker winning the hearts of the Salford faithful with some classy performances across his debut season.
He’s not the only returnee, with Deon Cross, Chris Hankinson, Jayden Nikorima, Chris Atkin and Kallum Watkins all back into the team that lost at Wigan Warriors last Sunday.
Loanee, Jonny Vaughan – who showed promising signs on debut – starts at centre, with Shane Wright bringing up career appearance number 100 in the back-row.
LINE-UP:
SALFORD XIII: Ryan Brierley, Deon Cross, Esan Marsters, Jonny Vaughan, Chris Hankinson, Jayden Nikorima, Chris Atkin, Chris Hill, George Hill, Jack Ormondroyd, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins (C), Joe Shorrocks.
INTERCHANGES: Joe Mellor, Harvey Wilson, Tiaki Chan, Nathan Connell.
CATALANS XIII: Sam Tomkins, Tommy Makinson, Arthur Romano, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Theo Fages, Tevita Pangai Jnr, Alrix Da Costa, Julian Bousquet, Bayley Sironen, Elliot Whitehead, Oliver Partington.
INTERCHANGES: Ben Garcia, Tariq Sims, Chris Satae, Guillermo Airspuro-Bichet.
