Andy Ackers returns for Salford as Leigh welcome back off-season recruit

England international hooker Andy Ackers has been named to start for Salford against Leigh for their Super League Rivals Round clash at the Leigh Sports Village. 

Ackers, 29, has been sidelined since their 14-13 win over Wakefield.

Additionally, winger Joe Burgess has also been named, having been forced from the field through injury during their defeat to Huddersfield. He has made four appearances so far this campaign.

It’s a timely boost for the Devils with head coach Paul Rowley admitting ahead of the game that the pair could be missing for the tie.

Tyler Dupree and King Vuniyayawa will start in the front-row, with Kallum Watkins and Sam Stone in back-row.

Danny Addy has been named at loose forward.

Jack Hughes returns for Leopards

Leigh boss Adrian Lam welcomes back off-season recruit Jack Hughes to his squad for the home clash. The Great Britain international has not featured since the 38-20 defeat to Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Hughes, 31, has been named on the bench alongside Ava Seumanufagai, Tom Nisbet and Matty Davis. Nathan Wilde has been listed as 18th man. 

He has made just three appearances so far in 2023.

Zak Hardaker has been named at full-back in replacement of Gareth O’Brien, who failed his head injury assessment in the defeat to Wigan in Round Seven.

Ireland international Ed Chamberlain has been named at starting centre, with Ben Reynolds partnering Lachlan Lam in the halves.

Leigh: Hardaker, Briscoe, Leutele, Chamberlain, Charnley, Reynolds, Lam, Amone, Ipape, Mulhern, Holmes, O’Donnell, Asiata. Bench: Hughes, Seumanufagai, Nisbet, Davis. 18: Wilde.

Salford: Brierley, Sio, Cross, Costello, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Dupree, Ackers, Vuniyayawa, Watkins, Stone, Addy. Bench: Dixon, Atkin, Wright, Hellewell. 18: Longstaff.

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