Salford RLFC’s first game since the club changed identity and ownership comes in just a weeks time, as they prepare to take on Oldham RLFC at home.
In what is the opening game of the 2026 Championship season, the club currently have 15 players contracted, with more announcements set to be made over the next week.
The majority of the squad are youngsters either from the now defunct Red Devils academy or from development systems across Super League.
New head coach Mike Grady will undertake his first match as boss of the club, and as it stands, here is an initial look of the players they have and where they could fit in the starting 17.
Of course, with only 15 players announced, that isn’t enough to make a matchday squad, but with more arrivals imminent, here is who they currently have and where they need to recruit next.
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How Salford RLFC could line-up after initial influx of signings
Whilst there is currently no player signed that is accustomed to the position of full-back, the club do have their selection of wingers lined up. Sam Hill and Josh Wagstaffe look to fill the roles, with both players being at the club in 2025.
Hill scored the club’s only try in defeat to St Helens in round 14, in what was his only score in five first-team matches. Wagstaffe made three appearances, including in the side’s round one defeat to the Saints.
In the centres, the club have recruited Jacob Andrews-Smith. The ex-Red Devils academy man can play in either of the outside back positions. A junior at Rochdale Mayfield, he featured for the amateur side in the 2025 Challenge Cup, with the opponents that day being Oldham, their first opponents of the new year. He also has prior experience in the Bradford Bulls academy. Pairing him is expected to be Joe Hartley who has experience at a number of clubs including Whitehaven, Rochdale and Workington.
In the halves, at present they will line-up with Lewis Pilling and Jack Gatcliffe. Both were a members of Salford’s academy, but it was Gatcliffe who went on to have a Super League debut. He was another member of the 17 that took to the field against St Helens in round one.
At prop, perhaps the most well-known signing so far, which highlights the inexperience in the squad, Charlie Glover will U-turn on a move to North Wales Crusaders to re-join the Salford club. He made eight appearances last year, all of which came from the bench. Alongside him will be Leunbou Bardyel-Wells, a former St Helens youth player who has made two appearances for Salford since 2024.
At hooker, Fin Yates has signed a new deal with the club after he featured six times in 2025. He is now a Welsh international, after being selected to represent the country in matches against Ireland at the end of last season.
In the back row, the brotherly pairing of Cole Appleby and Oscar Hansen look set to form part of the forward pack. Appleby is another from the Salford academy, whilst Hansen is an ex-Wigan Warriors youth player that has also featured for Leigh Leopards reserves.
Whilst there is no recognised loose forward just yet, the club have four more players contracted who will no doubt fill in at some point across the campaign.
Ollie Garmston, who was a member of the Salford academy, is primarily a back rower, whilst Mallorca-born Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo, is a Spanish international outside back that has previous with amateur side Salford City Roosters.
Noah Appleby, brother of Cole, is also signed on, with former Hull FC academy and reserves forward, Owen Haldenby is a strong option in the front row.
Former Widnes Vikings man Will Tilleke became the club’s 16th signing whilst amateur players Reece Stanton and Matthew Ross were also confirmed, before a further two recruits were made in Liam Cooper and Rafael Van Osselaer, who has spent time on the books at Warrington Wolves.
