Salford Red Devils camp hit by Covid outbreak ahead of Challenge Cup final

LEEDS RHINOS’ Wembley opponents Salford Red Devils have suffered a blow with two players ruled out after testing positive for coronavirus.

Both are self-isolating, as are two others as a “precaution” after their test results were inconclusive.

The news was revealed before Salford’s 24-22 defeat by Hull KR yesterday.

Coach Ian Watson’s side face Rhinos in the Coral Challenge Cup final in three days’ time.

Watson, pictured above, admitted: “There’s been a lot of disruption as we’ve not been able to train since the Huddersfield game [last Thursday].

“It’s supposed to be one of the best weeks of your career going into a Challenge Cup final, but this week has been a massive frustration and disruption.”

He confirmed: “We had one positive test on Friday.

“We had to take the view of being over-cautious.

“It proved right as well as one more came back today and we think that’s a family member who works at a school.

“On the whole , it’s just sod’s law it happens this week.”

Watson admitted the setback “may affect” his Cup final team.

“We’ll have to do a session [today], but it will be only light and probably not going to be contact for the rest of the week,” he added.

Salford were pipped yesterday by a last-gasp Jamie Ellis penalty goal, but Watson felt his side “showed their character”

Speaking after the game, he said: “No one has complained.

“We did a team [meeting] over Zoom last night, went in to do a session this morning and a couple of players got injured in that session, even though it was a light run.

“That meant they couldn’t take part in this [yesterday’s] game as well, but they came out and played some old school rugby. Just tried to complete sets and defend well.

“For the whole game they showed the character of what we’ve been about the last few years.

“They were great.”