The fixtures for rugby league’s 2016 next season have been released, with Salford Red Devils looking to cement their place as a top eight team, and newly-promoted Swinton Lions aiming for a steady start in rugby league’s second tier.
Salford will open their 2016 campaign with a Friday night trip to Hull FC on February, while Swinton will dig their claws into Dewsbury in a 7 February opener at Sedgley Park.
Excitement is building in Swinton to see the likes of new capture, Young Player of the Year Matty Beharrell.
But it’s unlikely with the step up in class to the Championship that John Duffy’s side will enjoy the kind of 100-point annihilations they enacted in 2015.
Read: Swinton hit their stride in 84-16 Oxford rout
Read: Four-try Tommy Gallagher retires for Swinton in 94-6 South Wales demolition
It’s switcharound time for Salford Red Devils, with owner Marwan Koukash announcing that, following meetings with the fans board, most of their games will be played on Friday nights.
After Hull, the Devils take a bow at the AJ Bell with the visit of St Helens on Thursday 11 February off, possibly for TV.
The club has already stated that their East stand will remain closed for home games this season due to a lack of numbers.
It’s hoped this may ease the pressure on the club’s finances.
Salford’s fans board met the team’s new kit suppliers for 2016 last week, although the name is yet to be confirmed.
The club have chosen the supplier – who is rumoured to be a local business – due to the flexibility they offer the club in terms of stock.
Magic Weekend will once again head to the North East and Newcastle over the weekend of the 21/22 May, where Ian Watson’s charges will open proceedings on the Saturday against Widnes Vikings.
Watson and Director of Rugby Tim Sheens will want to avoid the dreaded middle eight qualifiers this time around, and cement the club as a Super League top eight team.
Given the number of players arriving again, as well as the number leaving, that’s a tough ask of not only newly appointed Watson in his first ever head coach role, but also of the lads arriving.
Main image – Composite © SteveMCPix/© Pete Green
