Salford Red Devils sign six players

Salford Red Devils have confirmed the signing of six players for 2016, and agreed a new three-year deal with director of rugby Tim Sheens.

The new faces at the AJ Bell Stadium are St Helens forward Mark Flanagan, Widnes prop Phil Joseph, Huddersfield prop Craig Kopczak and Warrington half-back Gareth O'Brien. Ben Murdoch-Masila and Robert Lui and have also signed from National Rugby League clubs.

"The club has been working on a number of major signings in recent months and we are now in a position to make these announcements now our Super League status has been confirmed," Sheens told the club's official website.

"I have been greatly impressed by the desire and the commitment of these players to join the club and they are all very determined to develop their careers further as the club continues to build,

Sheens joined Salford in June in an advisory role, but has now left his position as Australia coach and will commit full-time to the Super League club.

He led Australia to World Cup victory in 2013, but couldn't prevent the Red Devils from finishing in the bottom four last season, before the club confirmed their Super League status by finishing third in The Qualifiers.