Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley describes signing Ryan Brierley as “world class” following friendly

Salford have put together a completely new spine going into 2022 with the Red Devils recruiting former player Marc Sneyd, Australian star Brodie Croft and boyhood supporter Ryan Brierley.

In the past, Brierley has been one of the best attacking players in the country especially under Paul Rowley at Leigh Centurions where he became one of the most sought after players in England.

Now back under his old boss at Salford, it stands to reason that Rowley could get the best out of him again in 2022 as he settles into the fullback role behind the brilliant pairing of Sneyd and Croft in the halves.

Brierley certainly caught the eye in last night’s friendly against Halifax in which the Red Devils won 32-10 over the Panthers, a side being tipped for a promotion push in 2022.

The fullback was awarded the Man of the Match award and received massive praise from his coach after the game who claimed some of his touches of skill were world class: “We know the game from Ryan, some of his last passes were outstanding, world class.

“Because it’s happening on a field in a friendly you still can’t underestimate the quality of what he just did.

“He was outstanding really.”

https://twitter.com/SalfordDevils/status/1484883232739012610?s=20

Brierley wasn’t the only Red Devil to receive praise from Rowley however as he identified another new signing as pushing Brierley for the Man of the Match award: “I think Brodie Croft pushed him very close for the best guy on the field.”

With the duo settling in nicely already, it could mean Salford may surprise one or two in 2022.