Get the lowdown as Hull look to make it back-to-back wins at the start of their 2021 campaign when they face Salford Red Devils at the Totally Wicked Stadium tomorrow.
Both sides had differing starts to their season at Emerald Headingley Stadium last weekend. Salford were comfortably beaten by 2020 champions St Helens, whilst the Black & Whites saw off Huddersfield 22-10.
Like their match with the Giants last week, Hull will once again come up against a side under new management in 2021, with former Saints assistant coach Richard Marshall taking over at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Team News
Brett Hodgson has been forced into just one change for the Round 2 match, with Josh Bowden ruled out due to concussion protocols. Youngster Connor Wynne has replaced the forward in the 21-man squad.
Despite a couple of injury scares in the Salford camp following their Round 1 fixture, Dan Sarginson and Lee Mossop have both been named in Marshall’s 21-man squad.
The return of Andy Ackers will give the Red Devils a boost, with his presence sorely missed in their opening round defeat to Saints.
Hull 21-man squad: Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Sao, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Swift, Wynne, Scott
Red Devils 21-man squad: Sio, Watkins, Inu, Lolohea, Brown, Mossop, Ackers, Ikahihfo, Lannon, Pauli, Taylor, Addy, Johnson, Kear, Livett, Williams, Sarginson, Costello, Ormondroyd, Wells, Patton
The lowdown on the Red Devils
Salford entered a totally new era last weekend, with a different head coach taking charge of a competitive fixture for the first time since 2014.
Despite working as an assistant coach at St Helens for a year and a half, Richard Marshall still couldn’t manage to navigate Salford to victory against his former employers last Friday.
Although few people will have expected Marshall to bring home the bacon against last season’s champions in Round 1, Red Devils fans may have higher hopes of the two points against the Black & Whites on Easter Saturday, having won their last three matches against the Airlie Birds.
The return of Ackers from injury is likely to give Salford that little bit of extra zip, whilst off-season recruit Elijah Taylor will be looking to perform strongly again after impressing on his Super League debut last week.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Jake Connor – Many were waxing lyrical over Jake Connor’s instrumental performance in last week’s victory over his former side Huddersfield as the England international scored Hull’s opening try before setting up Josh Griffin moments later. Deputising as a fullback in the absence of Jamie Shaul, who continues to recover from an ACL injury, Connor is a constant threat with the ball, whilst there were positive signs from the defensive side of his game with some impressive try line defence and organisation against the Giants. Playing in the spine alongside Josh Reynolds, Marc Sneyd and Danny Houghton, it is arguably one of the most dangerous backbones in the Betfred Super League.
Salford: Kevin Brown – A vintage performance from the veteran halfback helped the Red Devils defeat Hull in the last meeting between these two sides. Perhaps one of the most experienced halfbacks playing in the Betfred Super League, the 36-year-old will be a key running threat for Richard Marshall’s side, playing alongside the dangerous Tonga international Tui Lolohea in the halves. Best known for his spell at Huddersfield Giants, Brown has since turned out for Widnes, Warrington and Salford, enjoying big victories over the Black & Whites with all three of those sides since his departure from the John Smith’s Stadium. It will need to be another steely display in defence from the Black & Whites to keep him quiet.
Key Match Details
Where: Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, UK
When: Saturday 3 April, 12.15 kick-off
Coverage: Broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as the OuRLeague app for members who don’t have access to Sky Sports.
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