It's all making a mockery of the competition. Been dealt with very badly by both sides.

Just realised it's being shown on BBC. Not a great advert for the game, especially the start of Super League. Think the RFL should ask the Beeb to pull the plug, but that's too sensible for the RFL.

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... cap-975481 Looks like petulance from Paul Rowley. Issues still to be resolved at the Red Devils.

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... cap-975481 Looks like petulance from Paul Rowley. Issues still to be resolved at the Red Devils.

What a disgrace. Putting a team like that out first game of season. Completely takes away all the great spectacle that Wigan and Leigh put on. No super league team should have a score like that put on them. Does Saints a massive favour with points difference. Could do massive damage to the game, people watching that on the bbc.Totally thrown their toys out the pram, and blame the rfl for the mess they created.

Special mention should be made of Salford's hardcore fans - the real victims of this ongoing farce. Knowing that they were on a hiding to nothing; they travelled to Saints and took said hiding whilst supporting their colts throughout the rout and beyond.

Mr Integrity should (but won't) hang his head in shame.

The begging bowl went out in December and was duly filled but with strings attached. Since then Agincourtian bow fingers have been waved at the RFL, fellow SL teams and now broadcasters - the paymasters. THROW THE BOOK AT 'EM!

But what good would that do? What's still left in the book?

Points deduction? It would seem after today that Salford (barring again their hardcore support) don't value points.

Relegation? Is it still in the RFL's arsenal after IMG were called in?

Massive fine? What is the biggest allowed under our existing rules? If it is relatively paltry, hit them again and again until they toe the line. Maybe their new backers will start to get cold feet - if indeed they pass the fit and proper test!

After a great first few games of the new season (three really tight ones and an upset in Perpignan), tonight's debacle is what will stick in the collective mind!

nonsense the result on thursday got biggest coverage friday than rl has had for yonks our first win in wiggin for 40 years plus might also stick in the mind
salford had far too much space on this forum

More trouble brewing for the Salford Red Devils - https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rf ... ontroversy Rowley's childish explanation for picking one team for the Challenge Cup, an initial squad with Sneyd and Watkins and the Academy side he eventually put out against St Helens, is picked apart in the article by Aaron Bower. Hopefully when the RFL throw the book at Salford, I hope it hits the two fingers that the Red Devils are holding up to Super League. This is not a good look for the sport and Salford are still in a precarious position with IMG gradings.

More trouble brewing for the Salford Red Devils - https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rf ... ontroversy Rowley's childish explanation for picking one team for the Challenge Cup, an initial squad with Sneyd and Watkins and the Academy side he eventually put out against St Helens, is picked apart in the article by Aaron Bower. Hopefully when the RFL throw the book at Salford, I hope it hits the two fingers that the Red Devils are holding up to Super League. This is not a good look for the sport and Salford are still in a precarious position with IMG gradings.

Absolute disgrace from Paul Rowley, brilliant coach arguable best coach in the league with Lam but he was way off the mark with this one.

The side he put out last week against Midlands would of given St Helens a decent enough game. Its not the RFL, super league or anyone's fault other than Salford regarding there finances.

2 points deducted required imo.

My take is both sides are at fault. Salford for spending more than they can afford is the crux of the problem and they should be penalised as such. The RFL for allowing the situation to drag on. They should have allowed Salford to field their strongest team and punished Salford with a points deduction rather than letting this farce play out in front of the BBC cameras. Unfortunately, we have no strong leadership or common sense in the RFL.

I agree the RFL have handled the whole situation poorly, ever since the request for advanced funds was made. But the team selection made by Rowley was an absolute disgrace. They knew and accepted the salary cap conditions as part of receiving the advance, and what that reduced cap does is stop Salford from fielding a team that is funded by an advance not available to other clubs.

To not pick the first teamers they could pick was bad enough. To only go with 3 subs is dreadful. There should be some punishment dished out for this, and given their willingness to throw these kids into impossible situations, I'd be asking serious questions about whether they should be allowed and elite academy license. They ought to be put on notice that they will revoke that if they pull such a stunt again.