THE FACTS
When is Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils taking place? Friday 1st February, 19:45
Where is Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils taking place? John Smith's Stadium
What channel is Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils on in the UK? This match will not be televised
Where can I stream the match in the UK?
Where can I get tickets for Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils?
Huddersfield Giants – https://giants.tickethour.co.uk/
Salford Red Devils – https://www.eticketing.co.uk/salfordreddevils/Events/Index
THE TEAM NEWS
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS
Head Coach: Simon Woolford
Squad: English, Frawley, Gaskell, Ikahihifo, Lawrence, Leeming, Matagi, McIntosh, Mellor, Murphy, O’Brien, Roberts, I. Senior, Ta’ai, Turner, Uate, Walne, Wardle
Unavailable: Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe
- Huddersfield will be hoping for a more consistent year in 2019 with head coach Simon Woolford set for his first full season in charge.
- The Giants have been busy in the off-season with several big movements both in and out but winger Akuila Uate is sure to be a popular signing whilst Matt Frawley will slot into the halves having arrived from Canterbury Bulldogs.
- Woolford has only named an 18-man squad for the season opener with several players facing late checks but Jermaine McGillvary is definitely out after suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season.
SALFORD RED DEVILS
Head Coach: Ian Watson
Squad: Bibby, Burke, Dudson, Evalds, Flanagan, Griffin, Hastings, Jones, Lussick, Lui, McCarthy, Mossop, Nakubuwai, Olpherts, Sa’u, Sio, Tomkins, Turgut, Welham
Unavailable: Ed Chamberlain, Josh Wood
- Salford comfortably avoided relegation during their Qualifiers campaign last season and will be looking to build on that end to the year, allowing them to kick on this season.
- The Red Devils managed to secure the services of halfback Jackson Hastings and he will be the key man for Salford in 2019 with his partnership with Rob Lui in the halves set to play a vital part in how the Red Devils get on.
- Salford are almost at full strength for this opening encounter with just Ed Chamberlain and Josh Wood unavailable through injury whilst Ken Sio and Gil Dudson are in line to make their debuts.
THE PREDICTION
Neither of these teams are strongly fancied ahead of the upcoming season but both have some talent in their ranks capable of producing some big moments. Jackson Hastings showed that in abundance during his short stint for the Red Devils last year and if he clicks as well as he did with Rob Lui last season, the Red Devils will cause some upsets along the way. They’re underdogs in this contest but they can edge their way to victory in Round 1.
