Rivals Round: Best of both worlds

Saturday night's Super League is set to be a cracker this weekend, as Salford Red Devils will welcome local rivals Leigh Leopards to the Salford Community Stadium in their eagerly-awaited Rivals Round fixture.

The sides will lock horns for the first time in 2024, renewing a rivalry which really stepped up in 2023 after several eye-catching encounters. Their last two meetings have been extremely close - both teams clinching a victory by just two points.

And if there's one man who knows both teams inside and out, then it's Red Devils ace and fan favourite Ryan Brierley…

Over the years, Brierley has experienced the best of both worlds where a certain two Rugby League clubs are concerned. So much, that he openly admits to having two hearts - a beating one for his boyhood club Salford, and a dormant one for his former club Leigh.

Nowadays, his Salford heart shines through and since signing for his hometown club in 2022, Brierley has been living his childhood dream on the daily, where he hopes to take his beloved Salford to new heights.

But who could forget his early days at Leigh which catapulted him into Rugby League stardom? As he went on to become one of the club's most prolific performers and their top try-scorer for four consecutive seasons.

Making a real name for himself, Brierley has since gone on enjoy career stints with Super League clubs Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR - as well making a return to Leigh for a loan spell in 2019 and for their 2021 season in the top flight.

Now settled at Salford, a club he grew up supporting, and still at the heart of some stunning attacking play - Brierley is ready for a big year.

Once again, Salford have started their season by proving any doubters wrong - racking up 3 out of 5 league wins in emphatic fashion and are arguably unlucky to have lost the two that they did. They did endure a disappointing Round 6 Betfred Challenge Cup loss to Hull KR last Friday however, and will be hoping to bounce back at the first attempt in Rivals Round.

As one of the league's chief entertainers, the Red Devils' brand of rugby league has fans on the edge of their seats as they continue to impress, and Brierley reflected on his side's performances in the opening rounds:

"We've had a decent start and I think we've been unfortunate in the games that we have lost," Brierley admitted.

"But ultimately, we've put ourselves in a real strong position the way we've started the season off. Our strong start has been built on the back of a lot of really hard work and I'm really proud of us.

"I think my own form has been pretty good too, I'm happy enough with that. I hope this continues - it's equally as important how you finish a season as well as how you start it.

"We know we've been through some adversity and that things are going to take time. We're going through a transitional period with a new spine and some new players coming in but I do believe we've got one of the best coaches in the competition.

"I think there's much more to come from myself and Salford."

With a much smaller squad in comparison to other teams in the competition, and some widely documented upheaval in the off-season, Brierley insists it's the togetherness of the playing group that is the recipe for success at Salford:

"It's all about the level of connection between the team. We're a close and tight-knit bunch and whenever you go through a bit of adversity at the start of the season, it always brings players closer together and builds that trust.

"The key ingredient in getting things right or wrong is the level of trust you have between your team-mates, and that one of the most important things.

"The Rugby League world throws so many different challenges at you. It's such a funny sport. I won't get carried away with focusing on other team's results - just our own.

"We have a game by game mentality and approach, and hopefully we will achieve some good stories on the way through."

Looking ahead to Rivals Round, Salford versus Leigh is always the one Brierley keeps an eye out for in the sport's calendar:

"I think especially for me, those feelings of a rivals fixture never get old. Me being a part of both teams is pretty unique as I don't think many players experience playing against their old clubs that many times.

"Having the chance to go up against old team-mates and friends is something that I always look forward to.

"I think a lot gets made of Rivals Round and so it should - it adds to the excitement of the occasion and it's always a fixture that you want to win.

"It's a great concept for the sport - you might only get two points at the end of it, but the magnitude of the game is pretty important, especially to me as an ex-Leigh player now in Salford colours.

"I think the magnitude of the game speaks for itself. Rivals Round is a big one and we certainly don't want to disappoint.

"It's been a really good rivalry over the past couple of years. We seem to play really well against them, and I think this fixture certainly brings the best out in us - and that's important because Leigh are a very good team.

"Nothing but the best ever beats Leigh, so we need to be on and at our best to make sure we get the two points."

Growing up, Brierley would spend his weekends in The Salford Shed at The Willows with his family, watching in awe and with admiration of his idols on the pitch.

Now one of those players on the pitch himself, Brierley reflected on the feeling of being able to pull on a Salford shirt week in and week out, and how it will always be a special, pinch yourself moment for him personally:

"It's massive for me. When kids have dreams to achieve something growing up, mine was always playing for Salford and I have that now. Nobody can ever take the feeling away from me.

"My only ambition was to play for Salford. I really am living my dream and that's how I've always wanted it to be.

"All I cared about was Salford rugby and it never gets lost on me and the impact I have on the fans and young Salford fans now - it's mental how some have my name on the back of their shirt.

"I always wanted to be like my heroes - the fandom and idolisation of certain players was the magic for me as a young kid, and the atmosphere.

"Getting to share that feeling with them now is pretty mad. I think when I eventually finish playing, I'll definitely go and join the fans again in stands."

But before Brierley can begin to even think about life beyond his playing career, he has outlined the ultimate dream goal he is determined to achieve whilst playing for Salford Red Devils:

"I just want to win a trophy for the club - it's what it needs and what it deserves. And we've been quite close over the recent years.

"It might take time, but the end goal would be to win a trophy for Salford."

He also expressed that he has nothing but love for the Leigh Leopards (then Centurions):

"I also had a very, very good career at Leigh. I'll always be thankful and grateful for the input the club had on my career and I'll always be grateful of the people who were there.

"It was actually Paul Rowley who gave me my first ever chance at Leigh, so I am forever grateful. What Leigh have been doing recently is pretty special too - I've nothing but good words to say about the club."

Being a loyal Salford supporter, some fans may question how Brierley could adopt such a strong love and passion for their rivals Leigh. But Brierley admits this wasn't something he found difficult at all:

"It was easy because I had a lot of good times there [Leigh]. It's different when players don't have good times or a great experience at different clubs because then you don't have that affinity with them.

"But I think because it was such a positive and a successful period at Leigh, I was able to fall in love with the community and embed myself in the community really easily. A lot of my dad's close friends were Leigh fans, so it wasn't difficult at all.

"I've got two hearts - one's beating for Salford and one's dormant for Leigh. As long as both clubs are successful, I'm happy."

And the best of both worlds doesn't stop there. Nowadays, Brierley finds himself in the full-back position and Salford's firm first-choice there. But fans will also remember his many magical moments and flashes of individual brilliance as a youngster when he used to partner general Martyn Ridyard in the halves for Leigh.

Still very much a high-quality performer with the ability to cause all sorts of problems for his opposition, Brierley explained which position he prefers to play:

"I think full-back now, as you get older you want to do less tackling!" he joked.

"But I certainly prefer full-back now. The experience I learnt from being a half-back when I was younger has definitely helped me be a good full-back - and easily transition. I know what the halves want and need from their full-back now, so that journey has helped me out.

"I have a freer role now which is great.

"The full-back is quite critical in Paul [Rowley]'s philosophy and the way he plays the game and the way his team set up and play - and I quite like having that responsibility of being that guy and being the full-back in that Salford team. It's unique, I like that pressure and responsibility."

Now seen as an experienced head within his playing group, the 32-year-old was recently appointed as joint vice-captain for the 2024 season, on the back of his sheer commitment in Salford colours and signing a new deal which sees him remain at the club until 2026. 

And it is an absolute honour in Brierley's eyes to be able to help with leadership duties and guiding his team-mates:

"I like this role - it's an honour. I like looking after the young boys - I didn't always have that when I was coming through as a youngster, so I like that I can look after them.

"There's still some flashy bits and interesting bits from me, but the leadership role is something I'm definitely enjoying at the moment."

And with Saturday's game fast-approaching, Brierley recalled some of his favourite derby memories between his two clubs:

"The 2015 Challenge Cup game against Salford when I played for Leigh is one," Brierley said. "I scored in that game as well - it was mental. It was the first time I'd played against Salford, and it felt pretty weird to be doing that."

"Another memory would be the first game of last season when we played against Leigh. There's always something massive about the first game of the season. I remember the fireworks and it being a huge event.

"It was pretty special to go there and win our opening game. I scored a try and got Player of the Match that night which was the icing on top.

"I just think as you get older you just live game to game and take it all in."

It is predicted to be another close contest on Saturday, as Salford will be determined to bounce back from a gutting loss to Wigan Warriors in Round 5 - and Leigh will be boosted by their impressive win over Hull FC.

"It's a derby game I'm really looking forward to," Brierley said. "It's a show of two really good teams who can play some good attacking rugby and like to express themselves.

"It makes for an exciting game - one of the most exciting ones in the calendar, I think. It's going to be an exciting contest for everyone involved."

Will the Salford Reds continue to rise - or will Leigh Leopards claim bragging rights?

This week's Saturday night Betfred Super League will see Brierley's Salford Red Devils welcome local rivals Leigh Leopards to the Salford Community Stadium, as Rivals Round (Round 6) continues live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+.

All six games across Rivals Round will be broadcasted LIVE and information regarding dates, venues and kick-off times can be found here.

There's still time to sign up to SuperLeague+ if you haven't already, with match passes, monthly passes and annual passes all available.