Sensational Jackson Hastings helps Salford secure Super League status for 2019

A masterclass from Jackson Hastings helped Salford confirm their place in Super League for next season with a comfortable win over Toulouse.

The Red Devils beat Championship side Toulouse Olympique 44-10 at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday to confirm their spot in the top-flight for next season.

Ian Watson made four changes to his Salford side that lost at London Broncos last week. Jackson Hastings, George Griffin, Derrell Olpherts and Lee Mossop replaced Jack Littlejohn, Ben Nakubuwai, Ed Chamberlain and Jansin Turgut.

Sylvain Houles named an unchanged Toulouse team to the one that beat Hull Kingston Rovers last time out. Justin Sangare and Paul Seguier missed out on the 17-man squad again.

Hastings posted points on his return to action. He produced magic footwork to go over and Salford were awarded an eight-point try due to Hastings being tipped over by Mark Kheirallah. Hastings added both goals.

The Red Devils extended their lead midway through the first half. Joey Lussick crashed over the line from close range and they were 12-0 to the good.

Hastings then added a penalty goal after the French side were caught interfering at the play-the-ball.

Toulouse pulled one back just before the break as a fine passing play saw Italy international Chris Centrone score. France ace Kheirallah failed to convert and they trailed 14-4 at half-time.

Stan Robin scored his sixth try in any as many games shortly after the restart. Kheirallah added the extras and they were only 14-10 behind.

Hastings added another penalty goal for Salford before Greg Johnson went over for a fine converted try on the hour mark.

The Red Devils were red hot in the second half. They scored another as Niall Evalds burst through a gap in the Toulouse defence to score.

A quality chip from Hastings saw Olpherts score on his return to the fray and that try pulled the Red Devils clear.

Watson’s men scored two tries in the last five minutes through Kris Welham and Tyrone McCarthy to secure a fine 44-10 win and more importantly – their Super League status for next year.

Salford: Evalds; Johnson, Bibby, Welham, Olpherts; Lui, Hastings; Mossop, Lussick, Burgess, Jones, McCarthy, Flanagan. Subs: Kopczak, Burke, Griffin, Lannon.

Toulouse: Kheirallah; Marcon, Marguerite, Ader, Centrone; Ford, Robin; Bretherton, Barthau, Puech, Mika, Curran, Marion. Subs: Kriouache, Boyer, Hepi, Planas.

Starman: Everything that Salford did came through Jackson Hastings. He has been electric since he arrived ahead of The Qualifiers.

Attendance: 2,115