A virtual reserve team is set to take to the field for Salford Red Devils in their Betfred Super League opener as their proposed takeover awaits RFL approval.
The Red Devils announced last Friday they had reached an agreement with a consortium led by Switzerland-born investment banker Dario Berta for a 100 percent shareholding of the financially-troubled outfit.
Crucially, the deal would see Salford’s existing debts cleared and avoid them having to make £800,000 of savings by selling players as part of an agreement which saw them advanced £500,000 of central funding to see them through the off-season.
But with the governing body yet to formally approve the takeover, the Red Devils remain operating under a sustainability cap of £1.2million and have only been able to name an inexperienced 17-man squad which does not exceed that value for Saturday’s showdown with St Helens (5.30pm kick-off).
“Following the change of ownership, all documents have been submitted to the RFL for final approval, which is still ongoing, a statement from the club read.
“Although the club is disappointed to still be under the restriction, there is an understanding that the process requires the appropriate time to be completed and we are complying with each request as it is provided.”
Skipper Kallum Watkins, last year’s Man of Steel contender Marc Sneyd, star full-back Ryan Brierley, and high-profile off-season signings Esan Marsters and Chris Hill are among those experienced names not involved against Saints.
However, another off-season signing in Joe Bullock and Tiaki Chan, on loan from Wigan Warriors, are among the 17 head coach Paul Rowley has named.
The Red Devils only named 17 for their Betfred Challenge Cup third-round tie away to Midlands Hurricanes last Sunday as well, although they eased past the Betfred League One side 46-10 that day with several of those more experienced players involved.
“It’s a little bit like when you go to a restaurant; You pick the sirloin steak, I pick the prawn cocktail,” Rowley told rugbyleaguehub.com when explaining how he selects his squad under the special measures in place.
“It didn’t cause us a problem [against Midlands], but it will going forward and we’ll deal with that as and when.”
Salford are optimistic the deal will be approved by the RFL prior to their Super League Round 2 match at home to Leeds Rhinos on February 22.
But this situation hardly portrays a good look for Super League on 2025 opening weekend, particularly given the trip to St Helens is being broadcast live to a national free-to-air audience in the UK on BBC Two.
Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix
