Salford to play Sale in cross-code match

Salford will take on rugby union side Sale in a cross-code game at the AJ Bell Stadium, which the two clubs share.

It is the first cross-code clash since Sale took on St Helens at Knowsley Road in 2003 and as usual, one half will be played to rugby union rules, and the other to rugby league rules.

Sale boast the likes of Mark Cueto, Danny Cipriani and captain Dan Braid in their squad, while Salford have a raft of new signings including Rangi Chase, Lama Tasi and Adrian Morley.

The game is scheduled for the week leading up to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, on Tuesday August 26.

Salford coach Brian Noble said: “This is a great opportunity for our guys to pit their skills against different athletes. It will be a big challenge but I think they’ll relish it. The fact that this is for two such fantastic causes is going to be a big motivator for both teams.”

The AJ Bell Trust, AJ Bell’s charitable foundation has committed to donating at least £50k from the proceeds of the “AJ Bell Clash of the Codes”, split between The Princes’ Trust, which helps young people of all backgrounds develop their lives through work, education and training, and to Maggie’s, which is trying to raise £6m to build a new centre at the Christie, designed by Lord Norman Foster, to provide comfort and support to cancer sufferers and their families.

As part of the fundraising effort, an all-star Gala Dinner for 400 people will be held ahead of the match, with a stellar guest list, red carpet arrivals, live music and after-dinner speaking all planned to provide the perfect curtain-raiser for the rugby. The date for this event will be announced shortly.