Salford Red Devils’ controversial selection call will infuriate Hull KR and delight Wigan
Salford Red Devils have controversially rested all of their star players ahead of their final game of the regular season against Wigan. The Warriors, who must win the game to secure the League Leaders' Shield, will play a Reds side without a plethora of their top talent, who secured their place in the play-offs with victory over Hull FC last week.
The likes of Marc Sneyd, Nene Macdonald, Tim Lafai, Ryan Brierley and Kallum Watkins are all absent, with half of Salford's 21-man squad not even having squad numbers. No matter what happens on Thursday, the Reds will play in the first round of the play-offs though they do need a win to guarantee a home quarter-final.
However, Salford have instead prioritised resting their star players ahead of the knockout series. Their game against Wigan was pushed forward 24 hours last week and, having played on Saturday afternoon, have only had five days to recover and prepare to take on the Warriors.
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But the news will likely cause debate across the game give the importance of the fixture for Wigan and their aspirations to retain the Shield. Hull KR would have been able to secure top spot if Wigan lost to Salford and then beat Leeds Rhinos on Friday night, though that reality now appears dead in the water with Salford preparing to debut a number of their talent that have been playing in the reserves.
Salford, who are currently fourth, could still retain their league position if other results go their way. If Leigh were to beat St Helens on Friday they would remain fourth and they are unable to climb the table, with third-placed Warrington to far ahead of the caught.
If Salford lose and St Helens win, the Reds would drop down to fifth, which would mean they head to Saints in the first round of the eliminators.
Salford squad: Cust, Bourouh, Partington, Atkin, Shorrocks, Ormondroyd, Hellewell, Sidlow, Morgan Connell, Wilson, Pye, Bullock, Nikorima, Wagstaffe, B Glover, C Glover, Fitzgerald, Bardyel-Wells, McCurrie, Gatcliffe.
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