Daniel Zealey previews the round six clash, as second place Castleford Tigers travel to Warrington. This is what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
Warrington Wolves
Warrington have had a mixed start to the season. An 100% record at home is contrasted as they are yet to win away and haven’t won an away game since July.
They suffered a 36-0 defeat away at Leeds last Friday.
Castleford Tigers
The Tigers have been playing well, so far this season. Three wins in their last four with only a defeat at Catalans halting their progress. They sit in second, level on points with top of the league St Helens.
SQUAD NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price makes one change from his side who lost last weekend. Declan Patton replaces Ellis Robson.
Warrington 21-man squad: Akauola, Austin, Brand, Burrell, Charnley, D Clark, J Clark, Cooper, Currie, Davis, Hill, Johnson, King, Lineham, Mamo, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Ratchford, Walker, Widdop.
Castleford Tigers
Just like Warrington, head coach Daryl Powell also makes one change. Prop Liam Watts misses out due a finger injury. Alex Foster comes into the 21 man squad for the first time this season.
Castleford 21-man squad: Rankin, Olpherts, Mata’utia, Shenton, Trueman, Richardson, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Milner, Massey, Sene-Lefao, Griffin, Foster, Blair, Smith, Clare, O’Neill, Hepi, Turner.
KEY STAT
In recent meetings this game could go either way. There was four meetings between the sides in 2019. The first two were won by Warrington, however Castleford won the final two including their meeting in the playoffs.
Castleford have won six of the previous ten meetings with Warrington winning the other four.
BATTLE TO WATCH
The key battle between the sides which could impact hugely on the result is the hooker battle between Daryl Clark and Paul McShane.
Former Castleford hooker Daryl Clark has been one of Warrington’s most important players since making his debut for the Cheshire side in 2015.
Clark offers speed at the play the ball and is one of the most attacking hookers in the league. He is a dangerous player who can lead his side to victory.
Paul McShane like Clark has been at his club since 2015 and came as a replacement. McShane likes to attack from the play the ball, he currently has made the most runs from dummy half with 37.
The Castleford hooker has had an amazing start to the season and it is shown with the Man of Steel standings. After five matches, he tops the charts with 11 points, with two points more than second placed Johnny Lomax.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Friday March 6th
Venue: Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45 PM
