Salford Red Devils kick-off their 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup process when they travel to face Wigan Warriors in Round Six this evening.
Paul Rowley’s men will be looking to build on their impressive Betfred Super League victory over Leeds Rhinos last week with another positive display at the DW Stadium.
Despite trailing at the break, the Red Devils scored three superbly worked second half tries and showed immense character to turn the game completely on its head, earning two vital points.
Attention now switches to this all-Super League clash – shown exclusively on Premier Sports – with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
Speaking to the press before the game, assistant coach Kurt Haggerty was discussing the Challenge Cup and what this Salford side can learn from their fantastic run to the final in 2020.
Haggerty said: “We’re hoping so, we’ve got some personnel left in there who have experienced it and there are little whispers about it around the club. So, we’ll just take it game by game, because if you lose, you’re out and we’ll go to Wigan to win for sure.”
“I grew up watching the Challenge Cup – it was bigger than the league then! So, it definitely holds a special place in my heart.”
Our opponents – coached by Matt Peet – have had a good start to the Betfred Super League season, winning five of their six games – with the only loss coming away to the Catalan Dragons at the start of the month.
They also possess February’s Betfred Super League Player of the Month Jai Field, whose pace has proven a nightmare for several sides.
Haggerty believes that this Wigan side will be tough opposition for Salford, but he is excited by the plans his team have put in place to combat some of their dangermen.
“I think he’s (Peet) has done a fantastic job,” the Red Devils assistant began, “We’ve spoken about Wigan’s offence in particular not being at the races in the last couple of years and I think he’s really put an attacking philosophy in the way they’re shaped, the offloads – they’re a really exciting and dangerous team.”
Moving on to mention, Jai Field, Haggerty said: “He’s certainly the in-form full-back. He’s explosive, very quick, so we’ve put a plan together that will hopefully come together this week. But we’re quite excited about how we’ll deal with this week.”
The Red Devils will be hoping to carry last week’s momentum into today’s game and impose their personality on Wigan to book a spot in the quarter-final.
Tickets are available to purchase in cash at the DW Stadium ticket office before tonight’s game.
Image credit: Steve McCormick
Written by: Harry Siddall
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