Salford Red Devils v Leeds Rhinos - all you need to know

Leeds Rhinos visit Salford Red Devils on Saturday. Here's all the essential information.
Rob Lui will be up against his former club. Picture by Steve Riding.Rob Lui will be up against his former club. Picture by Steve Riding.
Rob Lui will be up against his former club. Picture by Steve Riding.

Competition: Betfred Super League round four

Opposition: Salford Red Devils

At: AJ Bell Stadium

Rhinos recorded a crucial home win over Salford in 2016. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Rhinos recorded a crucial home win over Salford in 2016. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Rhinos recorded a crucial home win over Salford in 2016. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

On: Saturday, February 22

Kick-off: 2pm

Venue: AJ Bell Stadium

Coverage: No live TV

Former Leeds player Tui Lolohea is one of SAalford's dangermen.Former Leeds player Tui Lolohea is one of SAalford's dangermen.
Former Leeds player Tui Lolohea is one of SAalford's dangermen.

Weather: Showers, nine degrees.

Tickets: Rhinos fans will be on a standing terrace behind the posts. Tickets bought in advance cost £20 for adults, £18 for 60 years olds and over, under-21s £17, under-18s £15, 16 year olds and under £7. Available until 4pm on Friday via 0371 423 1315 or online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk. Prices rise by £2 on match day.

Car parking: £7 at the ground.

Opposition coach: After guiding Salford to third place in the table last year and a Grand Final appearance, 43-year-old Ian Watson was rewarded with an extended contract until the end of 2022. He played for Swinton, Salford, Workington, Widnes, Rochdale, Oldham, Halifax, Leigh and Wales and was player-coach at Swinton and an assistant-boss for Salford before taking the head job in 2016.

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Opposition star man: Full-back Niall Evalds ran in 22 tries last year to finish as Super League’s joint-second top try scorer, equal with Leeds’ Ash Handley. He has pace and an eye for the line and is also safe at the back.

Key battle: Rhinos used to have a Tui, now they’ve got a Lui. Stand-offs Rob Lui and Tui Lolohea swapped clubs last summer and will both have something to prove in what should be an intriguing head-to-head.

Opposition form: Salford were beaten 12-10 at home by Huddersfield Giants in round three. They were crushed at St Helens on the opening weekend before seeing off Toronto Wolfpack in their first home game.

Key battle: Rhinos used to have a Tui, now they’ve got a Lui. Stand-offs Rob Lui and Tui Lolohea swapped clubs last summer and will both have something to prove in what should be an intriguing head-to-head.

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Previous meeting: September 6, 2019. Betfred Super League round 28. Leeds Rhinos 12 (Tries Myler, Jones-Buchanan. Goals Martin 2), Salford Red Devils 20 (Evalds, Bibby, Lussick. Goals Inu 4). Referee: Liam Moore. Attendance: 12,436.

Last five results: Salford WLLWL Leeds WLWLW

Super League record: Salford won five, Leeds won 41

Milestones: It will be Leeds’ former Salford stand-off Rob Lui’s 100th Super League appearance.

Team news: Salford are without scrum-half Kevin Brown so Chris Atkin is likely to start alongside Tui Lolohea in the halves. Dan Sarginson, Lee Mossop and Josh Johnson also drop out from the 17 which lost to Huddersfield. Other players vying for a call-up are new loan signing Oliver Roberts, former Leeds forward Jack Ormondroyd, Krisnan Inu, Gil Dudson, Seb Ikahihifo, Mark Flanagan and Elliot Kear.

Leeds are likely to be unchanged, though Alex Sutcliffe has been drafted into the squad after recovering from a broken hand and Rhys Evans, Callum McLelland and Tom Holroyd are also in contention.

Full squads: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/salford-red-devils-v-leeds-rhinos-21-man-squads-are-named-1885289