Paul Rowley backed in Salford Red Devils call as RFL seek answers

Jon Wilkin has backed Paul Rowley for resting all of his players in their clash with Wigan Warriors on Thursday. Salford caused a storm on Tuesday when they named their 21-man squad for the game against the Warriors featuring only four of the players who were selected against Hull FC last week.

It's feasible that Salford could field a completely different team on Thursday, one featuring none of the players who played last week, when they take on the Warriors, having secured their place in the play-offs last week. Wigan, meanwhile, must win to secure the League Leaders' Shield.

That now seems incredibly likely, while Salford could still finish fourth if Leigh beat St Helens on Friday night. Should they not, they will finish fifth and play Saints away from home.

But speaking on the Sky Sports Verdict, Wilkin felt Rowley had made the right decision.

"Paul Rowley has got risk and reward," Wilkin said. "He’s got one of the smaller squads in Super League so he has taken the opportunity to rest players. If he gets one or two injuries, it’s catastrophic. They will not win in the next round, so he’s taken a gamble.

“He’s willing to lose this game and gift Wigan the League leader’s Shield in the hope he retains a fully-functioning squad for that first play-off game.

“I think it’s the right play. As much as a broadcaster, I would love to see Wigan and Salford go at it and Wigan really earn that League Leader’s Shield by beating a team in the play-offs, I think Paul Rowley has got it right, he should be celebrated for it. He’s in the business of winning and winning Grand Finals and I think he’s done the right thing.”

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