SQUAD NEWS
Salford Red Devils
There is only one change for the hosts, with Luke Burgess being named in Ian Watson’s 19-man squad.
Logan Tomkins is set to make his 100thย appearances for the Devils and Derrell Olpherts could feature again for the side, having made his debut last week against Widnes.
Kris Welham is also back and Ryan Lannon could also make his first appearance of 2018.
Salford currently sit 10th in the Betfred Super League table, their only points coming through wins over both Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC in rounds three and six.
Salfordย lost last week to Widnes Vikings at the Select Security Stadium 24-16.
Salford Red Devils 19-man squad: Greg Johnson, Kris Welham, Junior Sa’u, Niall Evalds, Robert Lui, Jack Littlejohn, Craig Kopczak, Logan Tomkins, Josh Jones, Weller Hauraki, Mark Flanagan, Lama Tasi, Ryan Lannon, Luke Burgess, Ben Nakubuwai, Josh Wood, Derrell Olpherts, Lee Mossop, Jake Bibby.
Catalans Dragons
Benjamin Jullien and Alrix Da Costa return for the French side this Friday, replacing Lucas Albert and Iain Thornley. Luke Walsh is another who misses out.
Catalans Dragons are struggling in the 2018 campaign, with just the one victory against Hull KR.
They sit bottom of the table, and Steve McNamara will be hoping for the two points at the AJ Bell Stadium this Good Friday, or else he could be fighting to save his future in Perpignan.ย
Catalans Dragons 19-man squad: David Mead, Jodie Broughton, Brayden Williams, Found Yaha, Samisoni Langi, Remi Casty, Paul Aiton, Sam Moa, Benjamin Garcia, Greg Bird, Julian Bousquet, Michael Simon, Jason Baitieri, Thibaud Margalet, Michael McILorum, Lewis Tierney, Benjamin Jullien, Alrix Da Costa, Tony Gigot.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams shared the wins equally in 2017 with both sides claiming the victories at home.
A Vincent Duport double, plus tries from Louis Anderson, Krisnan Inu, Richie Myler and Tony Gigot saw the Perpignan-based side secure a 38-6 win at the Stade Gilbert Brutusย in front of over 10,000 fans.
However, Salford avenged their defeat in round 15 with an outstanding 50-12 victory in front of home fans at the AJ Bell, with nine different try-scorers.
Both teams are struggling so far in 2018, with just three wins between them, and so this Good Friday’s clash will prove to be a very important two-points for either side.
KEY BATTLE- Niall Evalds v David Mead
Battle of the fullbacks has always, and will always, be an important clash in rugby league.
This fixture is no different, with former NRL back David Mead clashing with Niall Evalds, who leads the try-scoring tally for Salford in 2018.
Mead, arguably, is yet to live up to his full potential with the Dragons, and this Easter’s double-fixture will be a chance for the PNG captain to show his abilities which he showed throughout NRL with the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos.
Evalds was the top try-scorer for the Devils in 2017 too with 15 scores, and is showcasing his ability once more this campaign.
However, he needs to start turning his tries into match-winners, as his team have just two wins in seven fixtures.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: 30th March
Venue: AJ Bell Stadium
Kick-off: 12:00
Referee: G. Hewer
WHO WILL WIN?
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