Salford Red Devils have travelled over to France to take on Catalans Dragons and the team news for both sides has been confirmed.
It’s the second time that the Red Devils make the trip to Perpignan in two weeks having contested their Challenge Cup quarter-final there at the start of the month, a game Salford lost 20-12.
The score is expected to be much wider today with the Red Devils having lost a number of players who featured in that game, through either injury or through them leaving the club.
Kallum Watkins has since departed to join Leeds Rhinos, for whom he scored on his second debut, whilst Chris Hill and Chris Atkin were both not named in the 21-man squad, as well as Deon Cross who Paul Rowley explained had not turned up to training.
Catalans are also without Sam Tomkins who had contested that match, the 400th of his career, with the veteran suffering an injury. Here are the confirmed matchday squads as Catalans Dragons host Salford Red Devils.
Catalans Dragons team news
With Tomkins out, youngster Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet continues at full-back with last week’s debutant Leo Darrelatour retaining his spot on the wing.
Oliver Partington faces his former club whilst Benjamin Garcia moves from prop to hooker with Alrix Da Costa dropping to the bench. Romain Navarrete also returns to the bench after having broken his cheekbone previously.
Luke Keary and Theo Fages start in the halves with in-form prop Tevita Pangai Jr leading the line in the pack.
Catalans Dragons XIII: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Tommy Makinson, Matthieu Laguerre, Reimis Smith, Leo Darrelatour, Luke Keary, Theo Fages, Tevita Pangai Jr, Benjamin Garcia, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Bayley Sironen, Oliver Partington
Interchanges: Alrix Da Costa, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Paul Seguier
📋 Le 𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈 𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐞́𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 de Steve McNamara pour affronter @SalfordDevils pic.twitter.com/cGbr8zcfmR
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) April 19, 2025
Salford Red Devils team news
Ryan Brierley returns with the full-back set to captain the club for the first time since being confirmed to the role after Kallum Watkins’ exit.
He anchors a back line featuring new loanee Jake Thewlis whilst Nathan Connell (shoulder) also returns. Fellow loanees Harvey Makin and George Hill feature on the bench with Tiaki Chan starting in the pack.
Joe Shorrocks starts from the bench with Harvey Wilson taking on the loose forward role from the start. Jayden Nikorima partners Kai Morgan once again in the halves.
Salford Red Devils XIII: Ryan Brierley, Nathan Connell, Esan Marsters, Jonny Vaughan, Jake Thewlis, Jayden Nikorima, Kai Morgan, Jack Ormondroyd, Joe Mellor, Tiaki Chan, Ben Hellewell, Matty Foster, Harvey Wilson
Interchanges: Joe Shorrocks, Justin Sangare, Harvey Makin, George Hill
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 Salford Red Devils for Round 8! 👹
🔗: https://t.co/Nq5WD8TWbY pic.twitter.com/m0nf0AhaeT
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) April 19, 2025
