Salford Red Devils learn final Super League opponent

Salford Red Devils will face Leigh Centurions in the 2021 Betfred Super League season.

Leigh’s application bested the bids of Bradford Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, London Broncos, Toulouse and York Knights to replace Toronto Wolfpack.

Toronto withdrew as a result of travel restrictions in England and Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leigh were last promoted to Super League in 2016, but lasted only one season as in 2017 they were relegated, after losing the ‘million pound game’ against Catalan Dragons.

🙌 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 @LeighCenturions!

🤝 They have become the newest @SuperLeague club and we cannot wait to welcome them to the AJ Bell Stadium for a Greater Manchester derby in 2021!

💪 #TogetherStronger https://t.co/3ATxbyYiUk

— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) December 14, 2020

Salford’s last encounter with Leigh came in a Challenge Cup Round 6 tie in 2018 which they lost 22–10.

The two teams last met in Super League back in 2017 as Salford fell to a 25–0 defeat at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

Salford last victory against Leigh came at Magic Weekend 2017 in a thrilling game that ended 36–22 to the Red Devils.

2⃣0⃣2⃣1⃣ @LeighCenturions will return to @SuperLeague next season!

🆚 You can relive our 2017 Magic Weekend clash on RDTV!

💪 #TogetherStronger

📺 WATCH the full match on RDTV👉https://t.co/6cvHxyp7tv pic.twitter.com/gk6zLmGCpc

— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) December 14, 2020

The Red Devils and Centurions are no strangers to each other as they have battled on and off the field.

Ex-Salford owner Marwan Koukash took on Leigh owner Derek Beaumont in a weight-loss challenge in 2017.

The challenge culminated in a weigh-in at St James’ Park in Newcastle over Magic Weekend.

The weight loss challenge resulted in a draw with both men reaching the required target of slimming down to 15 stone 5 pounds as they tipped the scales at 15 stone 4 pounds.

Following the challenge, both donated £5,000 to the Steve Prescott Foundation and the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund.

The two clubs have also fought in the courtroom on popular ITV prime daytime show Judge Rinder.

Koukash and Beaumont went head to head again over a £5000 payment involving Gareth Hock.

Judge Rinder ruled in Beaumont’s favour on the matter before both argued over the verdict. Koukash accused Beaumont of lying in court, which you can see below.