AMT Headingley hosts the 2024 Betfred Super League opening match between Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils as both clubs look to make a strong start to the new season live on Sky Sports, KO 8pm.

As matchday approaches, find out more about Paul Rowley's Salford side here:

Overview

Name: Salford Red Devils

Founded: 1873

Years in Super League: 24 (1997-2007, 2009-Present)

Head Coach: Paul Rowley

Club Captain: Kallum Watkins

Last three season finishes: 2023 = 7th , 2022 = 6th, 2021 = 11th

Best SL finish: 2019 finished 3rd and reached the Grand Final

Grand Final appearances: One (2019)

Most career appearances for Salford: Maurice Richards (498 between 1969-83)

Most career tries for Salford: Maurice Richards (297)

So far in 2024...

Like Leeds, Salford missed out on a Play Off rugby at the end of the 2023 season but led by Paul Rowley and his exciting brand of rugby, Red Devils fans are hoping for a rise back up the table in 2024.

Looking at the form book over the last two seasons, the Red Devils finished strongly during 2022 to make the play offs, but 2023 saw them do the opposite. Starting strongly with 11 wins from 16 games, they fade out towards the season's climax to finish two points away from the top six. 

This time around, an opening clash against the Rhinos will allow early nerves to settle, before a tough run of fixtures sees Rowley's side play Hull KR, St Helens, Wigan and Leigh, as well as Castleford both home and away. Out of all their opponents in Super League, the Leopards will clash with the Red Devils the most with four meetings over the course of the season, including at Magic Weekend, before finishing the campaign against Wigan in September.

During the off-season, the club has opened the door for new signings to come in, as well as let players depart. Four key members of Salford's recent success, Brodie Croft, Andy Ackers, Joe Burgess and Ken Sio, all moved on with Croft and Ackers signing for Leeds, Burgess switching to Hull KR and Sio returning to Australia on compassionate grounds.

In their places, Nene Macdonald makes the switch over the Pennines, along with Rhinos Academy Grand Final winner Kai Morgan, to join Rowley's team for 2024. The PNG international connects up with former St George Illawarra Dragons team mate Tim Lafai, who has enjoyed two years in Salford colours, as well as Ethan Ryan who comes over the Hull KR, and Wigan pair Cade Cust and Joe Shorrocks. Cust joins up with Sneyd and Brierley, both of whom have contributed to Salford's revival.

Squad

Ones to Watch

Ryan Brierley

Despite talks of a move away from Salford during the off-season, Ryan Brierley cemented his place in the Red Devils' spine for another three years as he committed to a new contract in November. Having played under Rowley for four years at Leigh between 2012 and 2015, the Scotland international was one of the first names brought in to reconnect up with his former coach after spells with Huddersfield, Toronto, Hull KR and Leigh again in 2019 and 2021, and he has been electric alongside Croft and Sneyd. 

In his debut season in Red Devils colours, he proved to be a try scorer and creator with 12 tries in 26 appearances and finished just behind Croft on 21 try assists. Last season, he followed it up with nine tries and only missed one game in all competitions, but this year there will be an eagle eye on what the full back produces with a new half back partner in Cust and edge partnership in Ryan and Macdonald.

Cade Cust

In the wake of Croft's departure to Leeds, Cade Cust's move from Wigan sees the half-back look for more game time this season, having been kept to 15 appearances in 2023.

Brought to the UK to play alongside Thomas Leuluai in cherry and white, he featured in the sides' Challenge Cup win over Huddersfield in his debut season as Matt Peet got his hands on his first silverware in 2022. Having started six straight games in the beginning of the 2023 season, a neck injury suffered against Salford sidelined Cust for six games and on his return, he played nine games as a substitute as the Warriors went on to lift the Grand Final trophy.

A new start at Salford allows the half back to rediscover his 2022 form, when he score four tries and assist 15. Friday's game against Leeds will also be the first look at how he connects up with Sneyd and Brierley across the field.

Tim Lafai

Like Brierley, Lafai's capture from the NRL was one of the main catalysts in Salford going to within 80 minutes of Old Trafford in 2022.

Bringing a strong running style and offloads across the field, the Samoan international bolstered a free-flowing backline that has proved to be entertaining for the neutral over the last two seasons. In both campaigns, he has scored six tries and has been one of the first names on the team sheet for Rowley. This week's meeting is his fifth against the Rhinos and he comes off the back of scoring twice against Rohan Smith's side in the round 18 at Salford Stadium last season.

Rejoined by Macdonald at Salford colours this season, Lafai is still very much one to watch out for on the field. His connection with Deon Cross has been fruitful(the pair have 30 combined tries between them across 2022 and 2023), as well as having captain Kallum Watkins on his inside, as the former Rhino returns to AMT Headingley to face his previous club.

Fixtures

Round One - Vs Leeds Rhinos (AMT Headingley, KO 8pm)

Round Two - Vs Castleford Tigers (Salford Stadium, KO 3pm)

Round Three - Vs Hull KR (Salford Stadium, KO 5.30pm)

Round Four - Vs St Helens (Totally Wicked Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round Five - Vs Wigan Warriors (Salford Stadium, KO 8pm)

Stats Performers

Last Super League match

Don't miss the Rhinos season opener!

The best way to see the Rhinos in action at AMT Headingley in 2024 is to get a match ticket or Rhinos membership!

Ticket prices start at £25 for adults, £20 for concessions and £13 for juniors, with prices rising by £3 on matchdays.

To buy tickets go to tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Tickets also available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop at AMT Headingley Stadium (CLICK HERE to check opening hours before travelling).