Leeds Rhinos thrashed Salford Red Devils 50-24 at the AJ Bell Stadium to move up to second spot in the Super League table.

The sides went into the fixture level on points, ten behind Super League leaders Castleford Tigers, and Salford struck first blood when Josh Wood scored an early try.

However Brian McDermott's men, boosted by the return of skipper Danny Maguire, hit top gear with Ryan Hall getting the visitors' first try, before a brace from Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins, Matt Parcell, Joel Moon and Jamie Jones-Buchanan put them 36-6 ahead at the interval.

Salford did respond in the second half as Ben Murdoch-Masila twice went over, but Anthony Mullally and Jack Walker crossed for Leeds and three goals from Jordan Lilley got them to a half century.

There was one blow for the Rhinos as England centre Kallum Watkins was taken off with concussion just before the half-hour mark after he was caught by a high tackle from Salford centre Junior Sa'u, who was sin-binned for the offence.

He will now be a big doubt for Friday's Super League home game against fourth-placed Hull.