Big news on Tommy Leuluai - the Wigan half-back won't return to the field after failing his head injury assessment, according to Sky Sports.

The Kiwi, who was making his 450th career appearance tonight, cuts a dejected figure on the touchline.

Wigan get a penalty which takes them within 30 metres of Salford's line at the start of their latest set of six.

Can the Warriors penetrate Salford's defence?

The answer is no. Bevan French's low kick hits his own player and Jackson Hastings gratefully drops on it to regain possession.

Past the halfway point of the first half and Salford are well on top.

Image source, Rex Features

Wigan have lost Tommy Leuluai to a head knock. He's the sort of calming influence that could get the Warriors back on track here.

Bevan French and Morgan Smithies are on. Teenage forward Smithies made 72 tackles - a Super League record - in the game between these teams a couple of weeks ago.

A reminder that Wigan have won all four of the games they've played against Salford this season.

Zak Hardaker knocks on at the play-the-ball - Salford scrum.

Tui Lolohea's low kick drifts dead in goal but Salford are looking to turn the screw here.

Andrew Henderson
Warrington Wolves assistant coach on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

It's a fantastic try by the Salford Red Devils, last tackle run down the short side and Wigan just couldn't get the numbers defensively.

Could this be the opening try for Salford's Gil Dudson?

The on-field call is "try"...

Wigan have their best set of the match but they only get to within 15 metres of Salford's try line.

Tommy Leuluai's kick is not the best and it's an easy retrieval for the visitors.

Image source, swpix.com

Wigan are all over the place in the opening stages.

A poor pass on halfway goes astray and then second-rower Willie Isa kicks over the touchline on the full.

Lee Mossop is held down early in the tackle count by Wigan skipper Sean O'Loughlin - another penalty, which Krisnan Inu slots over from 30-odd metres.

And now Wigan's Zak Hardaker kicks it out on the full from the kick-off!

Salford get themselves into good field position and Hardaker is to the rescue to prevent Jackson Hastings going over for the first try.

Andrew Henderson
Warrington Wolves assistant coach on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

The Salford fans have erupted. They are very excited about this start with Salford taking the early ascendancy.

First blood to Salford Red Devils. Krisnan Inu launches a monster of a kick at goal!

Just the start that the visitors would have wanted.

An early penalty for Salford on halfway as captain Lee Mossop is robbed of the ball illegally.

They're going for the two points...

Here we go!

Let's do it then, shall we?

As the television cameras pick out St Helens coach Justin Holbrook in the stand at the DW Stadium, the two sets of players line up alongside each other in the tunnel.

We're going to kick off a little later than scheduled.

More than 3,000 Salford supporters have made the short trip to Wigan to cheer on their team tonight.

The Red Devils have lost all of their past eight meetings against the Warriors in all competitions - this would be as good a time as any to end that run of defeats.

The teams will be on the field shortly.

Kyle: I think Wigan may edge it by four points tonight, with experience telling. However, I hope Salford win. This is their moment and big chance. Hopefully Hastings is the difference and they edge it. There was nothing in the play-off game two weeks ago.

Andrew Henderson
Warrington Wolves assistant coach on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

These sides have a contrasting style. Wigan will play a more conservative approach tonight and will try to really start hard and fast to get into Salford early and rattle their cage.

Salford like to play an expansive brand of rugby league but they have adapted to this play-off style of rugby as well. When you get this time of year, it's important to adapt your game to the conditions and Salford have managed to do that.

A few people were concerned that with it being their first play-off series in Super League for a number of years they could struggle handle it. But boy, have they proved they can.

They were outstanding against Castleford last week to put themselves in this position.