Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils team news is in for the first of Friday night’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
It’s been a disappointing start to the season for both sides, with the Dragons sitting in ninth in Super League and Salford two places below them.
However, a victory tonight would mean one step closer to a Wembley appearance with Catalans winning the Challenge Cup back in 2018 and the Red Devils finishing as runners-up in 2020.
It’s the first meeting between the two sides in 2025 but the pair do meet in Super League in a fortnight’s time.
Here’s how both sides line up for the Challenge Cup quarter-final following their team news during the week.
Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils line-ups
Catalans Dragons team news
Arthur Romano moves up from the bench in place of Matthieu Laguerre in the centres in Catalans’ boss Steve McNamara’s only change to the starting thirteen.
The Dragons welcome back Ben Garcia and Tariq Sims but both only make the interchanges bench as Alrix Da Costa and Bayley Sironen continue at hooker and in the second row following their absence from last week’s 14-13 loss against St Helens.
Paul Seguier and Franck Maria drop from the bench.
Catalans Dragons XIII: Sam Tomkins, Tommy Makinson, Arthur Romano, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Theo Fages, Tevita Pangai Jr, Alrix Da Costa, Julian Bousquet, Bayley Sironen, Elliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington.
Interchanges: Ben Garcia, Tariq Sims, Chris Satae, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet.
Salford Red Devils team news
Chris Atkin and Kallum Watkins return to the side, with Atkin replacing Kai Morgan in the halves and Watkins in Matty Foster’s second-row spot from last week.
Deon Cross also gets back into the starting line-up, partnering Esan Marsters. Nathan Connell drops to the bench on Cross’ return.
Jonny Vaughan keeps his spot on the other side of the pitch, now partnering Chris Hankinson on the wing.
Jayden Nikorima comes back into the side after missing last week’s loss to Wigan Warriors to pair with Atkin.
Joe Shorrocks moves from halfback to loose forward and George Hill moves from loose forward to hooker.
Joe Mellor and Harvey Wilson are added to the bench, replacing Scott Egan and Jimmy Shields.
Justin Sangare misses out through injury.
Salford Red Devils XIII: Ryan Brierley, Deon Cross, Esan Marsters, Jonny Vaughan, Chris Hankinson, Jayden Nikorima, Chris Atkin, Jack Ormondroyd, George Hill, Chris Hill, Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins, Joe Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Joe Mellor, Harvey Wilson, Tiaki Chan, Nathan Connell.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 Salford Red Devils for @TheChallengeCup quarter-final! 👹
🔗: https://t.co/3e2DYRRDBv pic.twitter.com/OmMaKoH3AX
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) April 4, 2025
dave bould
April 4, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Should stop Salford from playing. I hope catalans put 100 past them and some Salford players about 10 of em suffer season ending injuries. THEY shouldn’t be playing and R.L.shouldnt have allowed this carry on.