Salford v Toulouse: Still no Mark Kheirallah for French side
Photo: Manuel Blondeau / SWpix
The stand off between Toulouse and star full-back Mark Kheirallah continues after he remained absent from their squad to face Salford.
Kheirallah, 32, appeared to make himself available for selection in the build up to the Super League opener after the controversy surrounding his future.
But coach Sylvain Houles has still not selected the Australian-born France international.
On the eve of the season, Houles said he wasn’t sure Kheirallah would ever play for the club again.
The saga has provided an unwelcome distraction to Toulouse’s maiden Super League season, which started in defeat at home to Huddersfield last week.
Having lost Johnathon Ford last month, Toulouse have still been unable to recruit to bolster their thin squad.
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Former St Helens back-rower Dom Peyroux is unavailable for the Salford trip with a thigh injury.
Latrell Schaumkel (knee), Gadwin Springer (knee), Mathieu Jussaume (ankle) and Harrison Hansen (shoulder) are other absentees.
Back-rower Andrew Dixon will make his 100th Super League appearance if selected.
He has previously played in the top flight for Salford, St Helens and Toronto Wolfpack.
Salford will be the first club to host Toulouse in Super League, and they are buoyed by their winning start at Castleford.
Kallum Watkins and Harvey Livett are the only major absentees from Paul Rowley’s squad.
Rowley said: “It’s the unknown. Expect the unexpected when you’re dealing with people like Tony Gigot, who is a wonderfully talented rugby league player.
“They’ve got some real experience there too. They are a very dangerous side, I’ve coached against them before. They’ve got a great coach.
“We need to be at our best. I said that ahead of Castleford and I’ll maintain that saying throughout. We always need to be at our best.”
It is only the third-ever meeting between the two sides.
Salford beat Toulouse 44-10 at the AJ Bell Stadium back in September 2018 in The Qualifiers.
The two also met at The Willows way back in 2003, Salford winning that Challenge Cup clash 26-10.
Salford v Toulouse squad lists, Sunday 20 February (3pm)
Salford squad: Brierley, Sio, Lafai, Burgess, Croft, Sneyd, Akauola, Ackers, Burke, Wright, Greenwood, Taylor, Addy, Vuniyayawa, Lannon, Atkin, Williams, Sarginson, Luckley, Cross, Gerrard.
Toulouse: Vaivai, Marcon, Albert, Navarrete, White, Dixon, Marion, Pelissier, Puech, Bretherton, Paulo, Garbutt, Cunningham, Bergal, Hankinson, Sangare, Armitage, Russell, Pezet, Gigot, Stefani.
You can follow Salford v Toulouse live in the Love Rugby League match centre or on the app
