How Salford could line up in 2022

With the recent signing of half-back Marc Sneyd and the appointment of Paul Rowley as head coach for Salford, we take a look at how the Red Devils could line up in 2022.

Salford have a handful of new faces joining the club next season, including Ryan Brierley, Brodie Croft and most recently Sneyd from Hull FC.

Here’s how they could start next season…

1 Ryan Brierley

Brierley will join boyhood club Salford for the 2022 season, signing a two-year deal. The 29-year-old has scored 193 tries in 224 career appearances for Huddersfield, Toronto, Hull KR and Leigh, and may start at full-back, competing with team-mate and France international Morgan Escare.

2 Ken Sio

Super League’s 2021 top try scorer signed a new two-year contract at the conclusion of last season. The Australian winger finished last year’s campaign with 19 tries in 19 appearances, and is one of the best performing wingers in the competition.

3 Kallum Watkins

The England international centre joined Salford on a three-year deal in 2020 from Toronto, but missed the majority of the 2021 season through injury. He will be looking to bounce back and potentially earn a spot in Shaun Wane’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup.

4 Dan Sarginson

Dan Sarginson can feature in the centres or at full-back, but will be hoping to maintain a starting spot in the squad. While he may be a starter, we could see him in the number 23 shirt again in respect of his late brother, who sadly passed away at the age of 23.

5 Joe Burgess

Joe Burgess had to wait to make his debut for Salford following a lengthy injury. The former Wigan winger has won three caps for England.

6 Brodie Croft

Salford have added Croft on a two-year deal from NRL outfit Brisbane Broncos. The 24-year-old made his first-team debut for Melbourne Storm, and has made more than 60 appearances in the NRL.

7 Marc Sneyd

Salford’s shock signing ahead of 2022, Sneyd will return to the AJ Bell Stadium where he began his career, making 49 appearances. He joins the club from Hull, where he helped them win back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sneyd could find a new half-back partner in Brodie Croft in 2022. 

8 Sitaleki Akauola

Another new face at Salford, Sitaleki Akauola makes the switch from Warrington on a two-year deal. The hard-hitting forward will look to bolster the pack at the Red Devils in 2022 and beyond.

9 Andy Ackers 

Andy Ackers has a contract with Salford until the end of the 2022 season. He joined the club in 2020 from Toronto, and has also previously featured for Swinton and London Broncos. He will have fierce competition for the nine shirt, with the recent arrival of Amir Bourouh from Wigan.

10 King Vuniyayawa

Another new signing and looking to replace props Lee Mossop and Sebastine Ikahihifo, King Vuniyayawa has signed on a two-year deal and will be looking to impress to earn a place in the Fiji squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. 

11 Harvey Livett

The former Warrington utility and food takeaway business owner won Salford’s Supporters’ Player of the Year and Performance Team Player of the Year at the conclusion of the 2021 season. He wore shirt number 20 last season, but a starting shirt might be his next year. He can also play in the centres.

12 Shane Wright

Arriving from the NRL, Shane Wright signed a two-year contract with Salford following a four-year stint with North Queensland Cowboys. He has made more than 41 appearances in the NRL.

13 Elijah Taylor

Elijah Taylor was one of the stand-out performers for Salford in 2021. He won the club’s Hitman of the Year at their end of season presentation. The New Zealand international has just one-year left on his contract.

Bench

Salford will have good depth again in 2022, providing everyone stays fit. With the likes of Bourouh, Deon Cross, Jack Wells and Matt Costello, the fight for a spot in the 17 should see the best out of each player. 

Bench: Greg Burke, Sam Luckley, Chris Atkin and Danny Addy.