Salford’s lofty position is about as likely to last as the Independent Group, and is at least in part down to the fact that they have played a game more than most other sides. Yet three wins out of four represents a more than decent start for Ian Watson’s side. Many, including this foolish keyboard masher, predicted a relegation struggle for a Red Devils side which struggles to attract fans and to keep star players.
Saints coach Justin Holbrook has made two changes to his 19-man squad this week. One is enforced, Kevin Naiqama having failed a concussion test after exiting the win over Leeds Rhinos in just the second minute last week. He is out for a mandatory seven days and so does not make this one. Also out is Danny Richardson, likely to feature again for Leigh Centurions after being left out of Holbrook’s initial 19 for the first time this season. The pair are replaced by Matty Costello and Jack Ashworth, neither of whom have featured in the Saints first team so far this term.
Costello has already been earmarked by Holbrook to start at centre in place of Naiqama. A groin injury to Adam Swift has taken the option of moving Tommy Makinson inside to centre and bringing Swift in on the wing off the table. There were calls for James Bentley to replace Naiqama after he impressed in the position for the Centurions in their narrow defeat to Toronto Wolfpack at the weekend. Yet if we are ever going to find out if Costello is going to cut it as a centre at Saints then now is surely the time to throw him in and see if he sinks or swims. He has let nobody down without totally convincing in his previous first team appearances and needs to start making the most of his opportunities.
The rest of the three-quarter-line picks itself with Makinson and Regan Grace on the wings and Mark Percival partnering Costello in the centres ahead of fullback Lachlan Coote. Richardson’s non-selection is a show of faith in Theo Fages who has performed adequately in the role since surprisingly snatching it from the 2018 Dream Team half at the start of the season. Yet even the Frenchman hasn’t convinced with ball in hand, and it is perhaps his greater defensive solidity which really gives him the edge over Richardson at present. Jonny Lomax had an up and down night against the Rhinos, always busy but perhaps lacking his usual ruthlessness. He will start at stand-off alongside Fages as the two continue to try to develop their partnership.
Saints front row is world class. Alex Walmsley took over the Leeds game just after half-time, plonking down two tries in less than five minutes to turn the game on its head. Alongside him Luke Thompson showed that he is not just a battering ram as he dummied and shimmied his way over for a crucial try also. In between those two James Roby earned another couple of Steve Prescott Man Of Steel points for his performance against Leeds, and yet you’d say it was only an average display by his incomparable standards. Holbrook’s only dilemma with this trio is how many of them should be on the field at the same time. Saints have looked a little more suspect when one of Walmsley or Thompson leaves the field and with Fages now settled in the seven role and Aaron Smith injured there is not currently a realistic contender for the role of spelling Roby at hooker.
Louie-McCarthy-Scarsbrook will be glad to get out of the centres having probably spent the last few nights dreaming of Konrad Hurrell hurtling towards him. The Londoner will instead compete for a place in the prop rotation with Walmsley, Thompson, Kyle Amor, Matty Lees and Ashworth. There is no place for Luke Douglas, despite calls from fans for the Scotland international to be included. Douglas has been outstanding for Leigh in his month-long loan spell and on dual registration, but it should be remembered that he is playing against a lower level of competition there. If there is to be a change in the pack it is likely to be Amor that misses out, that despite an encouraging performance against Leeds which was unceremoniously cut short by Holbrook only 17 minutes after having introduced the Cumbrian to the action.
The back row could include Bentley, but more likely we will see the much criticised Zeb Taia partnering Dominique Peyroux with Morgan Knowles at 13. Criticism of Taia is absurd given that he made 150 metres against Leeds and is consistently Saints most dangerous forward in attack. His languid style convinces some fans that he isn’t trying but we can’t all be McCarthy-Scarsbrook. I know which one of those two I would rather have playing for my life. Particularly if it involved tackling Konrad Hurrell. Peyroux has looked off the pace at times so far this season and could yet be replaced by Joseph Paulo who has impressed in defence without really contributing a running game comparable to that of Peyroux. Knowles is becoming a model of consistency, often outdoing even Roby in the tackling department. If he could learn to pass the ball to someone other than the next man in the line then all the talk of him in the same breath as Sean O’Loughlin might one day become a bit more sensible.
Salford come into this one on the back of a thrilling comeback win at Hull KR. Down 22-8 at one point the AJ Bell Stadium oufit scored 16 unanswered points to complete a 24-22 win. It means that their only loss so far this season is the disappointing 46-14 hammering they took at home to Leeds Rhinos last weekend when Saints were forced to put their feet up and rest as the World Club Challenge took centre stage. A win in this one against the as yet unbeaten Saints would be a real statement that this Salford side can mix it with the very best. Frankly, it’s unlikely.
The Salford line-up is full of talent but it is the consistency that they have lacked in the past that has kept them from competing and which threatens to again this year. Niall Evalds has been superb at fullback thus far while in Ken Sio they have captured an exciting and experienced player who can fit in anywhere along the three-quarter line. Junior S’au is a bulldozer of a centre with NRL experience but the real heart of the Salford side is in midfield where the brilliant Jackson Hastings plots and probes from halfback alongside the bruising but explosive Robert Lui. Yet there is a mistake in the latter, something which no doubt Saints will look to capitalise on by putting him under significant pressure whenever he receives the ball.
Up front former Saints man Josh Jones has been in great form in the second row while in George Griffin, Joey Lussick, Lee Mossop, Logan Tomkins and Tyrone McCarthy there is plenty of Super League experience to draw on. Mark Flanagan is another former Saint who is as hard working and reliable player as there has been in recent seasons even if he is not exactly spectacular with ball in hand. Greg Burke and Gil Dudson have bounced around Super League in recent years and are perhaps less formidable. They will need to step up if the Red Devils are to compete with a fearsome Saints pack which, even if one or two of its stars suffers an off day, always has someone else coming at you at 1000 miles per hour. Super League games are often won in the forwards, a fact which should make Saints a strong favourite even away from home. In addition, Salford have not put together a consistent 80 minutes in their last two matches which will be a worry for Watson. He will know full well that his side will need to be operating at full tilt for the entirety of the game if they are going to have any chance of causing a shock and knocking off the Saints. Barring any disasters, I’m going for Saints by a comfortable enough 12-14 points.
Squads;
Salford Red Devils;
NiallEvalds, Kris Welham, Junior Sa'u, Bibby, Robert Lui, Gil Dudson, Josh Jones, George Griffin, Mark Flanagan, Joey Lussick, Greg Burke, Tyrone McCarthy, Ben Nakubuwai, Logan Tomkins, Daniel Murray, Derrell Olpherts, Ken Sio, Jansen Turgut, Jackson Hastings.
St Helens;
1. Jonny Lomax, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Regan Grace, 6. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Joseph Paulo, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Morgan Knowles, 16. Kyle Amor, 17. Dom Peyroux, 19. Matty Lees, 20. Jack Ashworth, 22. James Bentley, 23. Lachlan Coote, 24. Matty Costello.
Referee: Ben Thaler
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