The Reds have made sizable changes to their squad.
Salford Red Devils have controversially rested all of their star players ahead of their final game of the regular season against Wigan. The Warriors, who must win the game to secure the League Leaders’ Shield, will play a Reds side without a plethora of their top talent, who secured their place in the play-offs with victory over Hull FC last week.
The likes of Marc Sneyd, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Ryan Brierley and Kallum Watkins are all absent, with half of Salford’s 21-man squad not even having squad numbers. No matter what happens on Thursday, the Reds will play in the first round of the play-offs though they do need a win to guarantee a home quarter-final.
Salford have opted to rest their key players ahead of the knockout stages. Their match against Wigan was moved up by 24 hours last week, and after playing on Saturday afternoon, they’ve only had five days to recover and get ready for the Warriors.
This decision is likely to spark discussion, considering how important the match is for Wigan as they aim to retain the Shield. Hull KR had a chance to secure top spot if Wigan lost to Salford and they won against Leeds Rhinos on Friday night, but that seems unlikely now with Salford planning to field several reserve players.
Salford, currently in fourth place, could still hold onto their position if other results go in their favor. A Leigh win over St Helens on Friday would keep Salford in fourth, as they can’t move higher with Warrington, in third, too far ahead.
If Salford lose and St Helens win, the Reds would drop to fifth place, meaning they’d face St Helens in the first round of the eliminators.
Salford squad: Cust, Bourouh, Partington, Atkin, Shorrocks, Ormondroyd, Hellewell, Sidlow, Morgan Connell, Wilson, Pye, Bullock, Nikorima, Wagstaffe, B Glover, C Glover, Fitzgerald, Bardyel-Wells, McCurrie, Gatcliffe.