Super League side add local derby game to their pre-season calendar

Both Salford Red Devils and Swinton Lions have announced today that the pair will face off in a pre-season friendly at Salford’s home ground.

The game will be played on Sunday 29th January with a 1pm kick-off in preparation for both side’s league seasons kicking off in February.

Lions and Reds to renew historic derby!

We can confirm that we will be playing our neighbours Salford Red Devils in a pre-season friendly, at the AJ Bell Stadium, on Sunday 29 January, with a 1pm kick-off. pic.twitter.com/4Jj3phibJH

— Swinton Lions RLFC (@Swinton_Lions) January 3, 2023

Just a week later Swinton, who have just been promoted from League One alongside Keighley, will face Newcastle Thunder to start their return to the Championship.

Meanwhile Salford will face last season’s Championship victors, Leigh Leopards, in their opening game which will take place on February 17th.

𝗪𝗘'𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞! 🙌

We'll be hosting @Swinton_Lions in our first pre-season friendly on Sunday, January 29th at 1pm!

🎟 Ticket details to follow…

💪 #TogetherStronger | 🔴👹

— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) January 3, 2023

The local rivals who are separated by less than four miles last faced each other in the 2022 pre-season with Paul Rowley taking charge for the first time and securing a 48-12 victory.

Salford have announced on their site that it will be an opportunity to bleed in some new players to their team.

It reads: “Adam Sidlow, Ben Hellewell and Andrew Dixon are familiar faces in Red and White, but Oliver Partington, Sam Stone and Ellis Longstaff are three exciting new additions.

“The last meeting between the sides was the first time we saw now-Man of Steel, Brodie Croft in action for the Reds, with a number of other first-team regulars also making their full debuts.”