Students train with Salford Red Devils

Ryan Dalton, Brandon Wood and Ben Forster train at Salford Red Devils

Three students studying at Hopwood Hall College received an invite to train with Super League side Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford.

Ben Forster, Brandon Wood and Ryan Dalton, Hopwood Hall’s top three rugby players, made the trip to the six-time league champions to try and impress one of rugby league’s biggest teams.

Coming from an academy that has consistently been one of the top performers in the College Rugby League, winning over fifteen titles in the last ten years, the Hopwood Hall students felt as confident as they did privileged.

Ben Forster said of his trial with the Devils: “Getting the chance to trial at a club the size of Salford Red Devils has been a big lesson for me. Taking part in the first team drills and practice games has shown me how much dedication it will take for me to become a professional rugby player.

“I was excited by the opportunity, but it was a bit daunting going to meet these people at the top end of their sport. Seeing someone like Junior Sa'u in the flesh on the same training ground as me was a very brilliant but weird experience.

“If I was to be picked up by Salford, it would obviously be amazing, but no matter what the outcome, it was just a really good opportunity and I just want to thank my tutors and the Salford staff for giving us the chance.”

Should they have proved themselves good enough, the students will get the chance of a full-time trial with the Red Devils.