Costello all set for Saints season opener

Salford Red Devils’ Matty Costello is looking forward to coming up against his old side St. Helens, in the 2021 Betfred Super League season opener in three weeks time.Β 

Costello, who can play as a fullback, winger or centre, joined from Saints towards the end of 2020, linking up with head coach Richard Marshall who also arrived at the The Salford Stadium from St. Helens.

In what could be his first competitive game in a Salford shirt, the 22-year-old is excited to come up against some familiar faces.

Costello said: “It’ll be good playing against all my mates. I keep in touch with a lot of them.

“It’ll be good to come up against them, I’m sure they’ll give it me and I’ll give it them back.”

The 22-year-old spent plenty of time working with Richard Marshall during his time at Saints, who was assistant head coach at the Totally Wicked Stadium, and has transferred their good relationship over into the Salford camp.

“Rich worked a lot with us and he’s definitely improved my game in certain areas,” Costello said.

“We had a good relationship at Saints and it’s just the same. It’s just Rich is the main man now, the man to answer to, and I think he’s doing a really good job and the rest of the lads do as well.”

With a squad packed with talent for 2021, Costello’s main focus as we approach the start of the season is to be in and around that starting lineup.

Costello added: “I have the goal to play as many games as I can and be in around the squad to help where I can.

“Hopefully, we’ll be successful this year.”

Despite the excitement of lining up against his old side soon, Costello is looking forward to the return of fans in May the most.

“It’ll be good to play at Salford with the fans. Whenever I’ve played at the AJ Bell it’s been really loud and a tough place to go so lets keep it the same.”

In the meantime, you can watch Costello and your Red Devils in action against Wigan Warriors on Sunday 14th March in a preseason friendly, via Our League. Match day passes can be purchased here for an early bird price of Β£4.95.

2021 BETFRED SUPER LEAGUE FULL FIXTURES ANNOUNCED

The full fixture list for the 2021 Betfred Super League season has been announced.

Following the announcement of numerous important rounds such as Rivals Round and Dacia Magic Weekend, the highly anticipated full fixture list for this season is now published.

Salford’s first game back at the The Salford Stadium will be against Leigh Centurions, behind closed doors (BCD), on Sunday 25th April.

With fans expected to be allowed back into venues from May 17th, the first game that we should see you back in the stands at the AJ Bell will be when we welcome Wigan Warriors on Sunday 23rd May.

The last time we played in front of a crowd was the 18-14 home victory over the Warriors in the league in March 2020.

All six of the opening rounds that are BCD will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and Salford season ticket holders will be able to watch all BCD home and away fixtures on the Our League app. Codes will be distributed in due course.

The full 2021 Betfred Super League fixture list for Salford Red Devils, with fixtures subject to change and all TV rounds that are not expected to be BCD still awaiting confirmation from Sky Sports, is below:

The 2021 Super League Grand Final will be contested at Old Trafford on Saturday 9th October.

Super League chief commercial officer Rhodri Jones said: β€œWe are delighted to be able to share the full 2021 Betfred Super League season schedule with fans.

β€œThe first round is just a month away now and it promises to be a fantastic season with some great fixtures in store and most of all we look forward to welcoming fans back into stadiums.”

β€œOur clubs have been busy recruiting in the off-season and I am sure I’m not alone in saying that I can’t wait to see our amazing athletes back in action alongside these fantastic new signings, including Greg Inglis, Josh Reynolds, Korbin Sims and of course, the return of John Bateman to Wigan Warriors.”

β€œWe will see four teams led out by new coaches in 2021 and I wish the best of luck to Brett Hodgson at Hull FC, John Duffy at Leigh Centurions, Richard Marshall at Salford Red Devils and Ian Watson at Huddersfield Giants, who will be hoping to emulate the recent success he achieved at Salford in reaching two finals in the last two seasons.

β€œI would like to thank the clubs, the RFL and Sky Sports for their input, understanding and patience, enabling us to produce a compelling fixture list.”

Betfred Super League Play-Offs

Eliminator 1: Thursday 23 September

Eliminator 2: Friday 24 September

Semi-Final 1: Thursday 30 September

Semi-Final 2: Friday 1 October

Betfred Super League Grand Final: Saturday 9 October

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