Salford Red Devils' off-season recruit Matty Costello made his debut for his new side in the Challenge Cup last weekend, and things couldn't have gone better.

The former St Helens man grabbed a brace of tries as Salford registered their first win of the Richard Marshall era with a 68-4 victory over the Widnes Vikings.

VAVEL spoke exclusively to the 23-year-old ahead of Salford's trip to the South of France to take on the Catalans Dragons on Saturday evening.

"It's been a long time coming"

Costello signed for the Red Devils back in December and, after a tough pre-season, the centre spoke of his delight to get his first Salford appearance under his belt.

"I absolutely loved it, it's been a long time coming after working hard over the pre-season. But it's great to finally get that first win.

It was good to put so many points past Widnes as well. They were missing a few key players but we still had to work hard and we're really happy with how we performed last week.

"There were some things that we could have done better but we've looked at that this week and we're excited about getting ready to play Catalans on Saturday."

"Good competition for places"

The 23-year-old has been included in Marshall's squad for their weekend trip to Perpignan and, after getting a taste of the action in the Challenge Cup, Costello is eager to get back out on the field.

"Once you get a taste you don't want to drop out of the squad!

"Having played last week I just want to keep myself in (the squad) and continue playing as well as I can for as long as I can really, which is a case for a lot of the lads at the minute as there's a lot of good competition for places."

"I wish we could have played on Monday"

Salford put their early season try scoring problems behind them last time out, running in 12 tries against a helpless Widnes side.

The result is one that has left the squad raring to go on the Super League front, as they look to register their first points of the league season.

"The win was massive. You look at that second half and I think we scored 40 points past them (Widnes) and obviously that's something that we want to replicate with a fast start against Catalans.

"We want to get over to France and get that first win under on the board for the Super League.

"I've been excited all week, I wish we could have played on Monday!

"But by the time the game comes around on Saturday, I'm sure we'll all be raring to go and ready to rip into them (Catalans)."

"Three of the top players not just in Super League, but in the world!"

Salford face a tough task on Saturday, as they take on an unbeaten Catalans side who will be playing at home for the first time in over 12 months.

With three wins from three in all competitions so far, Costello knows of the challenge that they face at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

"It's going to be be difficult, they've got some massive names in their squad with (Sam) Tomkins, (James) Maloney and (Josh) Drinkwater steering them around the field.

"They are three of the top players, not just in the Super League, but in the world, so it's going to be a massive test.

"But with the momentum that we're taking into it out of last week I think everyone's looking forward to it.

"Having that week off from Super League and getting that confidence from the win has left everyone ready to rip in.

"We know it's going to be a big test in their first game at home this season so they'll be going as hard as they can really and we've just got to match them and get over the top of them."

Salford's clash with the Catalans Dragons will take place on Saturday, April 17th. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:45pm GMT.

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