SUPER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEW: Huddersfield Giants vs Castleford Tigers
SQUAD NEWS
Huddersfield Giants
Interim Head Coach Chris Thorman has rung the changes following the Easter period, in which Huddersfield drew with Leeds before falling to defeat at Catalans.
There are five alterations to the squad that travelled to France, including Danny Brough, who had to pull out of the Dragons game with an ankle strain and will miss the visit of Castleford as well.
Darnell McIntosh misses out with a hamstring strain, while Ryan Hinchcliffe, Alex Mellor and Colton Roche are also left out.
In their places come the returning Lee Gaskell, as well as Shannon Wakeman, Adam Walne, Tyler Dickinson, and Louis Senior joining his twin brother Innes in the squad after both made their debuts over Easter.
Huddersfield 19-man squad: Turner, Murphy, Gaskell, Ikahihifo, Wakeman, Lawrence, Ferguson, Rankin, Roberts, Ta’ai, Clough, Smith, Walne, O’Brien, Dickinson, English, Simpson, L Senior, I Senior.
Castleford Tigers
Castleford come into this one off the back of a first defeat in six, as Warrington got the better of them in a swamp-like Jungle.
Daryl Powell makes two changes to his squad with returns from injury for Joe Wardle and star winger Greg Eden, neither of whom have played for the Tigers since February.
The two to make way are Matt Cook- who was knocked out on Monday- and James Clare. Liam Watts remains in the squad after making his first appearance for Castleford since signing from Hull FC.
Castleford 19-man squad: Eden, Ellis, Foster, Gale, Holmes, Massey, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Milner, Minkin, Moors, Roberts, Shenton, Springer, Trueman, Wardle, Watts, Webster.
HEAD TO HEAD
Castleford have won the last five fixtures between the two sides, with Huddersfield’s last win coming back in 2015.
Despite the Tigers’ romp through the league last year they were pushed close on both visits to the John Smith’s Stadium, winning 26-21 in the regular fixture and 24-16 in the Super 8s.
KEY BATTLE- Jared Simpson v Greg Eden
Despite having only nine Super League appearances to his name, Jared Simpson is likely to be by far the most experienced of Huddersfield’s back three against Castleford.
With injury now claiming Darnell McIntosh as well as Jake Mamo and Jermaine McGillvary, the Giants will most likely have to play both Senior twins, and Simpson will be relied upon to provide the strike out wide, as he did with two well taken tries against Leeds on Good Friday.
It’s likely they will have to their fair share of defending as well, so who better for Simpson to face than Super League’s top try scorer in 2017!
Greg Eden returns to the Castleford squad after over a month on the sidelines, where he suffered a hamstring injury in their February clash against Hull FC.
With just two appearances so far and no tries, the 27-year old will be looking to get his season underway, as will the Tigers who despite five wins still have a negative points difference.
If Castleford and Eden are to kick-start their 2018, an injury-plagued Giants side might prove to be the perfect fodder.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 8th April
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: Ben Thaler
WHO WILL WIN?
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