Salford's 2022 Super League season kicks off with what will be an intriguing encounter away at Castleford on Friday evening.
If either side is set for a strong showing over the course of the campaign, the likelihood is that the respective new coaches will be relying on key performances from the men they've handed each club's number one jersey to.
For Lee Radford at the Tigers, that man is former Red Devils favourite Niall Evalds, while Paul Rowley's first-choice fullback this year will be Ryan Brierley, the boyhood Salford supporter who will be linking up with the ex-Leigh and Toronto coach for the third time.
Given their history together, Rowley clearly knows what to expect from Brierley, but having worked with Evalds as well when he first arrived at the club as a coaching consultant to Ian Watson, Rowley has seen up close just what Evalds is capable of too.
"They're both very, very good players and I've been involved with both of them, but I'm more than happy to have Ryan in our team - he suits us and suits our squad," said Rowley.
"They've both got their strengths and weaknesses, not many for either of them, so it's a funny one. If they were Top Trump cards they'd both be a nine out of 10 and you'd be happy with either.
"But I think it's well known I wouldn't swap Ryan for any fullback. He fits with us, he's what Salford want and he wants Salford, so it's a match made in heaven."
Both teams enter the contest with new coaches in place and a string of new arrivals in the playing squad, so the match will be an intriguing contest.
And while keen not to give too much away to the opposition ahead of time, Rowley was as equivocal about who will start in the number nine position as he was the number one.
"Andy Ackers is the number one hooker in the club, so I don't need to hide that fact," admitted Rowley, who was himself an England international hooker during his playing career.
"Outside of that, Amir [Bourouh] is the recognised specialist hooker and Chris Atkin covers half and hooker, so is valuable in that respect.
"We'll start with Andy Ackers and the rest will follow from there."
Tim Lafai will be named in the Red Devils' travelling squad when it is announced later today, despite the lack of pre-season training he has been able to complete at the club because of a visa issue.
His arrival in the UK was delayed heavily, but he featured in Lee Mossop's testimonial fixture against Warrington last week and Rowley confirmed the Samoa international centre is "in contention" to feature against the Tigers, along with Dan Sarginson.
