Ian Watson’s Salford Red Devils host newly-promoted Hull Kingston Rovers this evening in their third Betfred Super League tie of the 2018 season and are looking to get off the mark this year.
Match Preview
Salford Red Devils are built up quite the rivalry with Hull Kingston Rovers in recent seasons with Ian Watson’s side relegating the Robins in a dramatic 2016 Million Pound Game which was resolved following a mammoth Gareth O’Brien drop-goal in extra-time golden point.
Form
It may be difficult to use the word ‘form’ just a few weeks into the 2018 season but Hull Kingston Rovers do come into this weekend on the back of a comfortable victory over Catalans Dragons last week.
Tim Sheen’s side also put in a very impressive performance a fortnight ago narrowly losing against 2017 Super League winners Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.
Salford head into tonight’s game looking for their first victory of the 2018 Betfred Super League season. However, the Red Devils were unlucky not to come away from Wakefield’s Mobile Rocket Stadium two weeks ago with at least a point.
The Red Devils outscored Trinity but, in the end, a Liam Finn penalty goal was the difference between the sides. Despite being edged out a fortnight ago Ian Watson’s men will head into tonight’s game fill of confidence.
Previous Meetings
Salford and Hull KR have become regular opponents in recent seasons – even playing each other last season despite the Robins being in the Betfred Championship. Salford came back from 0-14 down to win 24-14 in a match you can read about here.
In fact, Salford are now on a two-game winning run against KR including that dramatic Million Pound Game which maintained the Red Devils Betfred Super League status.
Salford have won seven games against Hull Kingston Rovers in the Betfred Super League while KR have won ten. There has been the solitary draw between the sides.
Head-to-head
In this week’s head-to-head we take a look at the prop-forwards in Lee Mossop and Mose Masoe.
Mossop, who was named team captain prior to the season, was extremely impressive a fortnight ago against Wakefield and is looking to make his mark on the Betfred Super League this season after an injury-hit 2017.
As for Masoe, the man is a powerhouse who will cause issues for any side down the middle with his sheer size alone. However, if Salford can deal with him in a similar fashion to Pauli Pauli and David Fifita they should have no issues.
Team News
Mark Flanagan and Greg Johnson come into Salford’s match day squad while George Griffin and Greg Johnson drop out.
Danny McGuire is the biggest absentee from Tim Sheens’ match day squad. Chris Clarkson and Will Oakes also miss out.
Andrew Heffernan, Nick Scruton and James Greenwood come into the Robins 19-man squad.
Salford: O’Brien, Johnson, Welham, Sa’u, Evalds; Lui, Littlejohn; Kopczak, Tomkins, Jones, Hauraki, Flanagan, Tasi, Burgess, McCarthy, Nakubuwai, Wood, Mossop.
Hull KR: Quinlan, Minns, Heffernan, Shaw, Scruton, Lunt, Masoe, Blair, Greenwood, Kavanagh, Jewitt, Lee, Marsh, Mulhern, Salter, Atkin, Walne, Tickle, Carney.
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