Watson wary of Last’s Hull

Salford Red Devils Head Coach Ian Watson is mindful of the threat that Hull FC pose this coming weekend.

The Black and Whites are set to play their first game without previous boss Lee Radford, who was sacked following their 38-4 home defeat in Warrington last time out prior to the lockdown.

But Watson expects Hull to bounce back and mount a serious challenge this Sunday.

“It is Hull’s first game without a recognised Head Coach.” Watson said.

“Normally it is the week after and you usually see a big response; however, Hull have had several months of lockdown to regather themselves and should be fully fit and raring to go.

“If you look at their squad and what Lee Radford actually built there, they are full of quality.

“Andy (Last) has a lot of players to choose from and we are mindful of that.

“We know have to stay alert, stay fit as we have been practising all week in training but we are more than capable of as we showed prior to the lockdown.

“We expect a stern test from them this weekend and hopefully, it should be entertaining game of rugby league.”

Salford face Hull in the first of three matches at Emerald Headingley stadium this Sunday, kicking off at 1pm.

Watson also gave some early team news, with three players definitely out for the Red Devils.

“We are without three notable players this Sunday.” He added.

“Oliver Roberts is still two weeks away plus Kevin Brown and Andy Ackers remain sidelined for the foreseeable.

“However, that leaves a huge opportunity for others to come in and impress which they have done.

“The likes of Tui Lolohea, Chris Atkin, Niall Evalds and our trialist Morgan Escare have produced some special rugby since we returned to training.

“The rest have also trained superbly. Adapting to the new rules has been somewhat tiring but we prefer a ‘faster’ game.”