Salford have been dealt a body blow ahead of their first Challenge Cup final appearance for 51 years with their Australian-born centre Dan Sarginson ruled out after contracting coronavirus.
The Red Devils had announced earlier in the week that two of their players had returned positive COVID-19 tests but only revealed their identity on Thursday lunchtime when coach Ian Watson announced his 21-man squad for Saturday’s Wembley Stadium showdown.
Former Leeds forward Jack Ormondroyd, who would have been pushing for a place in Watson’s Wembley squad, is the other Salford player ruled out through coronavirus, with both players now self-isolating.
“Everyone at Salford Red Devils would like to give a massive show of gratitude to Sarginson and Ormondroyd for their tremendous contributions throughout the season, which have helped the team progress through to the Coral Challenge Cup Final,” a spokesman said.
“The club have continued to be in close communication with the players throughout their self-isolation. Both have shown exceptional professionalism and support for their team-mates throughout the testing process.
It is a huge personal disappointment for Sarginson, the 27-year-old from Perth who helped Wigan to victory in the 2016 and 2018 Grand Finals.
Sarginson, who had a short injury-hit spell with the Titans in the NRL, had been instrumental in Salford’s run to Wembley, having scored the match-winning try in their extra-time win over Catalans Dragons in the quarter-finals and having played a key role in their semi-final victory over holders Warrington.
He had only been cleared to play at Wembley after avoiding a suspension for a dangerous tackle in Salford’s league game against Huddersfield.
A specialist centre, Sarginson had been deputising effectively at full-back for Niall Evalds and his absence will be partly offset by the likely return of the Castleford-bound Evalds, who has recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss the Red Devils’ last six matches.
Despite the loss of Sarginson, there will be plenty of Australian interest in the final with Leeds having selected their trio of Rob Lui, Adam Cuthbertson and Matt Prior in their initial squad while Salford have gone with Joey Lussick, Pauli Pauli and Luke Yates.
Initial squads:
Leeds: J Walker, T Briscoe, K Hurrell, A Handley, R Lui, L Gale, A Seumanufagai, K Leeming, M Prior, A Mellor, R Martin, B Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, R Myler, A Cuthbertson, M Oledzki, C Smith, L Briscoe, J Donaldson, A Sutcliffe, T Holroyd.
Salford: N Evalds, K Welham, K Inu, T Lolohea, K Brown, L Mossop, J Lussick, G Dudson, R Lannon, P Pauli, T McCarthy, S Ikahihifo, G Burke, L Yates, C Atkin, M Flanagan, J Greenwood, R Williams, E Kear, O Roberts, K Watkins.
