Salford Red Devils boss confirms player’s imminent exit that ‘doesn’t sit right with anyone’

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley has reacted after the club’s heavy defeat to St Helens, whilst also addressing rumours of another player exit.

The Red Devils and Saints had met during Round One of the Super League season when Paul Wellens’ side beat what was effectively an academy side 82-0.

Since then, Salford have had a number of key players leave meaning their squad doesn’t even look all that much improved but their heart and effort cannot be faulted, despite today’s 46-4 defeat.

More bad news came for Salford ahead of the game with reports from Sky Sports’ Mark Wilson that a player had refused to play, leaving the Red Devils with a bare 17 and no 18th man.

Co-commentator Terry O’Connor would reveal that player to be Sam Stone, stating: “The rumours are that Sam Stone doesn’t want to play today and he’s rumoured to be going to Warrington. He’s only played on two occasions this year and it’s so disappointing for the fans that turn up and support Salford.”

What Paul Rowley said after Salford Red Devils’ heavy loss

Sky commentator Wilson had earlier taken to social media to claim that Paul Rowley was ‘furious’ with the decision, and the head coach spoke to Sky Sports post-match to assess the loss and the reports of Stone’s refusal to play.

Reacting to his side’s fight until the very end, which saw Sam Hill score a try in the final minute, Rowley stated: “That’s a reflection of the character of the team, they play with pride and toughness and never give up. Unfortunately them attributes aren’t enough when you come up against quality players.

“There were some green shoots, as there often is, but we definitely need a sprinkle of four or five quality players to come in and strengthen this team before we can chalk up some wins.”

On Hill, he labelled the youngster’s late chip-and-chase as ‘audacious’ and the ‘highlight of my day’, however, he noted that Hill should not have been playing anyway as he referenced that another player had pulled out.

Asked about that pull-out, Rowley said: “Sam Stone did that (refused to play) and that’s on him.”

When asked, ‘Will he be leaving the club?’, Rowley was quite blunt in his answer: “He won’t be training or playing anymore for us. We’ll try and negotiate a deal with the club that he’s been talking to.

“There’s a right and a wrong way of doing things, in my opinion. The players weren’t happy with that. You live and die by your own decisions don’t you. Everybody’s got a choice to make and there’s a way of doing things.

“Like I said before, it doesn’t sit well with anybody at the club. It’s a tough situation. We’re all empathetic and understanding of one another. People have got different thresholds and tolerances and we appreciate and understand that but there’s a right way and a wrong way.”

Rowley also confirmed his side will look at the loan market for fresh faces but admitted that plenty of other teams were short on troops as well.

Full-time.

🤝 PJD Heating & @hselec_ pic.twitter.com/EAmhc0Cuz7

— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) June 15, 2025