Ian Watson looking to continue winning run on return to the AJ Bell

Huddersfield Giants Head Coach Ian Watson will return to the AJ Bell Stadium for the first time since leaving the Salford Red Devils last November, looking to continue his Huddersfield side’s three-game winning streak.

Watson returns to the club who he led to the Grand Final in 2019 and the Challenge Cup Final in 2020 looking to inflict further damage to a Salford side who have lost their last two matches.

The Giants impressed in convincing victories against Hull FC and Castleford Tigers before turning around an 18-0 deficit at home to Wakefield Trinity on Sunday.

One player who has been instrumental in the Giants’ upturn in fortunes has been Will Pryce, as the stand-off and son of Rugby League legend Leon Pryce was again the heartbeat of the side in Sunday’s comeback victory, with Watson describing him after the game as a “special talent” in what was only his sixth Super League appearance.

Their opponents Salford come into this encounter off the back of two successive defeats against Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors. The latter fixture saw the Red Devils return to action for the first time since July 23rd, but indiscipline saw them become the masters of their own downfall, as despite defending resolutely and creating some good opportunities they were beaten 16-6.

The previous encounter between the two sides saw Salford edge the game 9-8 at the John Smith’s Stadium through a Chris Atkin drop-goal.

In the build-up to this game, it has been announced that Salford club captain, Lee Mossop, has been forced to retire due to medical advice. The 32-year old played a pivotal role in the Red Devils’ transformation from almost being relegated in the Million Pound Game in 2016 to the Grand Final in 2019 and Challenge Cup final in 2020.

One of his biggest memories at the club was one of his seven tries in 79 appearances, scoring against his former side Wigan in the 2019 semi-final.

This is what the former Salford, Wigan and Huddersfield prop had to say;

“It’s with great sadness that today I have to announce my retirement from rugby league. It’s been no secret that I have struggled with shoulder issues the majority of my career but after seeing the surgeon last week, he has told me there are no more surgeries he can offer to help prolong my career anymore and instead, it will be one final operation to give me a better quality of life with my wife and young children.”

In other news, the Red Devils fought off competition for the signature of Brisbane Broncos halfback Brodie Croft, who will join the club ahead of the 2022 season.

The Squads

Salford Head Coach Richard Marshall makes seven changes to his squad after last week’s defeat at the DW Stadium.

The returnees are Morgan Escare, Krisnan Inu, Ryan Lannon, James Greenwood, Ollie Roberts and Greg Burke as well as new recruit Dan Norman, who joins on loan from reigning champions St Helens. As well as the retiring Mossop, the six players to miss out on tomorrow’s game are Pauli Pauli, Elijah Taylor, Dan Sarginson, Dec Patton, Connor Aspey and Nathan Roebuck

As for the Giants, Ian Watson welcomes back centre Ricky Leutele and halfback Jack Cogger into his squad. Full-back Ashton Golding is also back into contention after missing the clash with Wakefield. Olly Russell misses out after suffering a head knock in Sunday’s game with Chris McQueen the other absentee.

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