Castleford Tigers welcome Warrington to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle for the second time this season. Here is everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Castleford Tigers
The Tigers have a 50% record this year, with 11 wins from 22 games. In the last five they have won two and lost three, with the last loss coming two weeks ago against Leeds. However, last time out, they comfortably won 36-16 away at Wakefield.
Warrington Wolves
The Wolves have a 68% record so far, with 15 wins from 22 games. In the last five they have also won two and lost three. They did lose last time out at home to Salford, going down 12-22. They last won a game two weeks ago against London, winning 6-36.
SQUAD NEWS
Castleford Tigers
Daryl Powell has named a unchanged side from last weeks victory. If the Tigers get the win in this match, it will be only the first time they have had back to back wins since March.
Castleford Tigers 19-man squad: Blair, Clare, Clarkson, Egodo, Holmes, Maher, Massey, Mata’utia, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Milner, Minikin, O’Neill, Rankin, Sene-Lefao, Smith, Trueman, Watts
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price has named an extended squad for this weeks match. With Sitaleki Akauola droping out after being suspended for two matches, and captain Chris Hill returning from a two match suspension. Harvey Livett and Luis Johnson are also added to the squad, following their return from a months loan at Hull KR.
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However, it is expected that there will be squad rotation, with the Challenge Cup semi final only six days after this match.
Warrington Wolves 21-man squad: Austin, Burrell, Charnley, D Clark, J Clark, Cooper, Currie, Davis, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, Johnson, King, Lineham, Livett, Mamo, Moran, Patton, Philbin, Tasi, Walker
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time these two met, Warrington ran out 14-26 winners. With 10 of the Wolves 26 points coming from the boot of Stefan Ratchford. Toby King also got a double.
Whilst for Castleford had four different scorers, with three tries and one goal. So far this season these sides have met twice, and the Wolves have won both.
However, in the last five meetings, Castleford have won two, and Warrington three. In the last five games between these two, Castleford have scored 92 points, with an average of 18.4 per game, whilst for the Wolves they have scored 116 points, with an average of 23.2 per game.
KEY BATTLE
Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers) v Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves)
The battle of the Hooker is the key one you need to watch in this one. For Castleford is Paul McShane. Since his opposite number left Cas he has been a steady captain for the Tigers, and has stepped up in the last two season, with Luke Gale twice spending long amount of time on the sideline.
Returning from a injury himself recently, he has been key for the Jungle faithful. Can he sneek past the former tiger to get his side to victory.
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For Warrington is Daryl Clark. The influential hooker is the highest ranked hooker in the man of steel, currently sitting sixth on 17 points.
He is a person who can make something out of nothing and is a key playmaker in the wolves attack. Since moving from Cas he has found a new level in his game. Can he make the difference in this one.
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THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: 21 July 2019
Venue: The Mend-A-Hose Jungle
Kick-off: 15:30
Referee: S. Mikalauskas
WHO WILL WIN?
I feel that Cas will win this one. With Warrington having the luxury of a six points cushion, and are 10 points behind league leaders St Helens, with only 14 to play for. Im going for a Tigers win by eight to 10 points.
