Salford Red Devils will round off their opening Super League campaign by hosting Hull FC at The AJ Bell stadium on Friday.
Despite Ian Watson’s men delivering an outstanding attacking display to beat Widnes 32-24 last week, tomorrow’s tie represents a dead rubber.
The Red Devils are consigned to the qualifiers for a second season in a row.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow considering they would have most likely got into the Super 8s had they won their appeal against the RFL for a six-point deduction after breaching the sport’s £1.8 million salary cap.
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Watson also mentioned off-the-field problems when speaking to BBC Radio Manchester on Tuesday: “We’ve also had about four new babies in the last month as well and players not fully sleeping.
“I know it’s life and you have to overcome these things, the good thing about this group is they’ve stuck to their task”
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Meanwhile, the game is anything but meaningless for Hull FC, who could secure top spot going into the Super 8s with a win.
Even a draw would be good enough should Wigan not win against bitter rivals St Helens in the tie of the round.
Manager Lee Radford has played down the idea that his side are favourites for this years Super League title.
Speaking to The Hull Daily Mail, the Humberside-born coach said: “I think there will be some lows for us, I have no doubt about that. But I’m hoping there will be an unbelievable highs as well. I’m expecting all of that to happen,”
The Red Devils will aim to put Hull in one of those lows by avenging their 42-20 opening round defeat to The Arlie Birds.
Salford make one change to the 19-man squad that beat Widnes last Friday; prop forward Adam Walne comes in for Australian Justin Carney.
Hull FC have made two changes from their victorious team in the Hull derby.
Veteran second-rower Frank Pritchard returns to the side after recovering from an ankle injury, his place comes at the expense of youngster Jack Downs.
Even more front line muscle comes in through the return of Chris Green, who replaces Dean Hadley.
Despite the returns, Lee Radford will have to make do without Carlos Tuimavave.
The Samoan has been out injured since Hull’s defeat to Leeds two weeks ago.
Salford (from): Evalds, O’Brien, Caton-Brown, Johnson, Jones, Sa’u, J Griffin, G Griffin, Dobson, Lui, Kopczak, Krasniqi, Hauraki, Murdoch-Masila, Flanagan, Tomkins, Kenny, A Walne, J Walne.
Hull FC (from): Shaul, Fonua, Talanoa, Pryce, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Ellis, Minichiello, Abdull, Green, Thompson, Michaels, Manu, Bowden, Pritchard, Yeaman, Washbrook.
