Castleford Tigers host Wigan Warriors at the Mend-a-hose Jungle in a rescheduled fixture, hoping to improve on last week’s draw with Hull KR. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
SQUAD NEWS
Castleford Tigers
The Tigers injury crisis continues as Daryl Powell is forced into making seven changes to his side. Dropping out of the squad are Alex Foster, Oliver Holmes, Mike McMeeken, Adam Milner, Greg Minikin, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Callum Turner.
James Clare, Jamie Ellis and Paul McShane return from injury while Will Maher, Tuoyo Egodo, Gadwin Springer and James Green are also selected.
Castleford 19-man squad:ย Clare, Clark, Cook, Egodo, Ellis, Gill, Green, Hitchcox, Laulu-Togaga’e, Maher, Massey, McShane, Millington, Moors, Shenton, Springer, Trueman, Wardle, Webster.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan are forced into three changes of their own as Sean O’Loughlin and John Bateman are away on England duty, while George Williams is out through injury.
Liam Farrell is touch-and-go whether he will overcome his injury in time, while youngster Josh Woods and possible debutantย Liam Paisley are included in the 19.
Wigan 19-man squad:ย Clubb, Davies, Escare, Farrell, Field, Flower, Gildart, Hamlin, Isa, Leuluai, Marshall, Mullen, Navarette, Paisley, Powell, Sarginson, Tautai, Tomkins, Woods
HEAD TO HEAD
Castleford Tigers are the form team heading into the match with two wins and a draw in their last three games whilst Wigan have just one win in their last four.
Nevertheless, Wigan hold the psychological advantage having already beaten the Tigers this year. Oliver Gildart’s double and the boot of Sam Tomkins secured the two points, with the Warriors duo likely to be heavily involved again this time around.
KEY BATTLE- Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e v Sam Tomkins
Both players are capable of controlling a game from numerous positions, which is what makes this battle even more interesting. With both having been deployed at full-back and half-back this season due to their creative ability, the decisive play could come from their hands.
QLT has registered a try and two assistsย in just two games for the Tigers as he finally gets to show his quality in the top league, while Tomkins will be out to show a certain Mr Bennett what he can do after missing out on an England place, despite six tries and eleven assists this season.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 22nd June
Venue: Mend-a-hose Jungle
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Referee:ย James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
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