Paul Rowley has managed to put together a Salford Red Devils squad for this evening’s Challenge Cup clash with Bradford Bulls at the Salford Community Stadium. Salford’s financial issues have been well-documented over the last few months with the club remaining in special measures as they wait for their new owners’ finances to appear.
As such, Rowley finds himself picking a team with one hand tied behind his back with the club restricted to a select group of players to comply with their sustainability cap. However, just naming a 17 was something of an impossibility this week with injuries ensuring Rowley was unable to fulfil a bench.
The shock sale of Marc Sneyd to Warrington Wolves eased those concerns and freed up the cap space needed to field a 17-man team in the Challenge Cup this week and Salford’s squad has been revealed with three changes made.
With Sneyd now preparing to make his Warrington debut next week against St Helens, he drops off the Salford teamsheet, while Nene Macdonald and Matty Foster are notable absentees from last week’s loss at Castleford Tigers.
Jayden Nikorima is eligible to return after serving a one-match ban, though, while Ethan Ryan and Charlie McCurrie also step into the fold to take on the Bulls. So, with a 17-man squad in place, here’s how we think Salford could line up against Brian Noble’s outfit.
Ryan Brierley looks set to get the nod at full-back, of course, with Deon Cross, Esan Marsters, Chris Hankinson and Ethan Ryan set to line up in the outside backs.
Nikorima will look to lead the side around the park as the lead half-back and he looks set to play alongside Chris Atkin. That would put Kai Morgan at hooker with Justin Sangare and Jack Ormondroyd starting up front. Shane Wright and Kallum Watkins are likely options at the back-row, while it seems fair to assume Chris Hill could play at loose-forward as he has done in recent weeks.
A bench made up of Tiaki Chan, Joe Bullock, Harvey Wilson and Charlie McCurrie look likely to come off the bench, and Rowley will be hoping there’s enough there to prevent the upset and see off the Championship opposition.
What Salford’s line-up will look like for the clash against Huddersfield Giants next Thursday remains to be seen, though, with Sneyd the first of what could be several departures.
Expected Salford Red Devils line-up: Ryan Brierley; Ethan Ryan, Chris Hankinson, Esan Marsters, Deon Cross; Jayden Nikorima, Chris Atkin; Justin Sangare, Kai Morgan, Jack Ormondroyd; Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins; Chris Hill
Bench: Tiaki Chan, Joe Bullock, Harvey Wilson, Charlie McCurrie.
Tomorrow’s @TheChallengeCup Round 4 squad 👇 pic.twitter.com/U1mnHVwUGt
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) March 13, 2025
