Salford Red Devils’ Kallum Watkins reveals all on ‘brutally honest’ Paul Rowley

Salford Red Devils have been a bit of an enigma in 2022.

In one game they can be absolutely brilliant – as epitomised by their 74-10 thrashing of Wakefield Trinity – but on the other hand they have thrown up some poor performances, including a 32-12 home drubbing by Wigan Warriors.

Having said that, it is Paul Rowley’s first experience in Super League having coached Toronto Wolfpack and Leigh Centurions in the Championship.

But, one of the most in-form players in the whole competition at present – Salford’s Kallum Watkins – could not praise Rowley enough for his endeavours so far.

“He’s a great character for our team,” Watkins told Serious About Rugby League.

“He’s really honest and brutally honest and that’s what we’ve needed so he’s been really great for our players.

“His way of playing wants you to back yourself and make sure we execute our plays really well and he lives by that making sure we are not lacking effort.

“It shows at times we have been putting in some great performances and it’s a big hand to him, Kurt Haggerty and Danny Orr.

“It’s all about getting a good run of results and that consistency.”

Earlier in the season, Watkins was linked with a move to Huddersfield Giants, but Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley dismissed those claims immediately.

However, the former Leeds Rhinos star had no knowledge of that speculation and was aware that Salford would trigger the last year of his deal.

“From my knowledge I knew Salford were always going to take next year on board.

“It was all about getting back playing and making sure I was playing well, but Salford have been really good to me and I’ve got a lot of history with them obviously being a supporter.

“They helped me get back in Super League during lockdown and when the Toronto stuff happened, but things like that (rumours) happen, it’s always going to happen.”