Morgan Esacre hasn’t played a minute for Salford’s first team in 2022 but nonetheless it hasn’t been a bad season for the Frenchman.
He shone on loan at Wakefield and is set to star for Barrow Raiders in the Championship on another short-term loan deal.
However, despite this loan move Esacre was named in Salford’s reserve side against the Huddersfield Giants today but couldn’t stop the Giants enjoying the better of the game this afternoon despite being alongside another with Super League experience in Amir Bourouh who continues his transition to loose-forward.
The Giants had a former Super League Grand Final winner in their side in the shape of Jack Ashworth in the second-row. Ashworth won the Super League title in 2019 with St Helens but has struggled to get consistent game time since joining the Giants.
There was also first team experience in the shape of Sam Hewitt, Nathan Mason and Robson Stevens in the pack. Despite the presence of such Super League experience, it was young fullback Aidan McGowan who stole the show.
McGowan made headlines in pre-season 2021 when he made a massive tackle on the barnstorming King Vuniyayawa to save the game for the Giants in a friendly against Leeds but today he shone mostly in attack.
😧 What a tackle that is!
👊 It looks to have won it for @GiantsRL!
Watch on #OURLEAGUE 👉 https://t.co/3HOqAV8Fjj pic.twitter.com/LD3y9ZJwuv
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) March 14, 2021
He scored a first half hat-trick including an 80 metre dash as the Giants racked up the points in the first.
Mason also made an impression as he like the other first teamers involved looked to make a statement. His moment to shine cane in the second half breaking through and creating a try for Alexander Smith.
That helped see off a 38-14 win for the Giants.