Super League: London Broncos v Salford Red Devils preview
London play their first-ever match in Barnet's The Hive on Saturday when Salford travel to the Broncos' new home.
Last Updated: 22/02/14 5:24pm
Tony Rea's Broncos endured a nightmare start to the new campaign last weekend as they were thrashed 64-10 by Widnes while the Red Devils began with an 18-14 win over Wakefield Wildcats.
Salford owner Marwan Koukash has lofty ambitions for his club and the arrivals of Tim Smith, Rangi Chase, Gareth hock and Adrian Morley means they have eyes on the play-offs.
Rea's hastily-assembled progressive squad will be eager to make a good impression at their new home and they have the talent to ruffle the feathers of Brian Noble's squad.
Salford will be without playmaker Rangi Chase for the match in London after he hobbled out of his home debut against Wakefield with a calf strain.
The Red Devils will out be without close-season signing from St Helens Tony Puletua and Noble admits it will take time for the new-look team to gel completely.
Time to gel
"It's early in the season and it will take a little time for us to get our game sense. That starting 13 weren't here last year. We need more games," said Noble.
London make just to the one change to their squad which was dismantled by the Vikings. Forward Jon Wallace has been drafted into Rea's 19-man squad with Harvey Burnett dropping out. Kieran Dixon remains a long-term absentee.
"We believed in the team last week and it gives us a chance to rectify things. We are developing trust and belief inside the squad so we want to instil that trust and belief into what we are doing," said Rea.
"It's a great opportunity for people to redeem themselves and earn back the respect of themselves, their team mates and the other people in the club.
"It's the first home game and it's going to be special. We've had a good look at Salford and been very impressed with their start to the season. They're a side that look really capable and we are aware that they are strong."
London Broncos: Atkins, Bishay, Caton-Brown, Cook, Cunningham, Forster, Foster, Gigot, Griffin, Krasniqi, Lovell, Mataitonga, McMeeken, Minns, Moore, O'Callaghan, Wicks, Wallace, Woodburn-Hall.
Salford Red Devils: Ashurst, Dixon, Fages, Griffin, Hansen, Hock, Gleeson, Howarth, Johnson, Lee, Meli, Morley, Mullaney, McPherson, Rapira, Smith, Tasi, Williams, Walton.
