Salford Red Devils’ Joe Burgess creates history in pre-season player photo by posing with his dog

Salford Red Devils star Joe Burgess has created quite the hero’s image in his pre-season player photo.

Whilst the overwhelming majority of rugby league players pose for a photo on their own, Burgess decided to go rogue and include his beloved pet – for the first time in the competition’s history.

Super League sponsors Betfred couldn’t help but reveal their admiration for the flying winger, tweeting: “The best preseason player-photo. Ever.”

🏉 | The best preseason player-photo.

Ever.@SalfordDevils | @JoeBurgess1 pic.twitter.com/CBf02hw4zp

— Betfred (@Betfred) February 4, 2022

Burgess will be hoping to play his part for the Red Devils in their new era under Paul Rowley following the sacking of Richard Marshall at the end of last season.

Rowley has brought in the likes of Ryan Brierley, Brodie Croft and Marc Sneyd as Salford aim to improve on their 11th-placed finish.

Since moving to Salford ahead of the 2021 season, 27-year-old Burgess has scored seven tries in 13 appearances after coming through the Wigan Warriors academy set-up.

He scored 52 tries in 55 appearances before moving to the NRL to take up a deal with Sydney Roosters and then the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Burgess returned to Super League with Wigan in 2017, scoring a further 55 tries in 72 appearances until a move to the Red Devils ended his Warriors affiliation.

The winger has also been capped three times by England.