Season Preview: Castleford Tigers

It’s all change at the Tigers for 2022 in a year that has been dubbed as a ‘New Cas Era’. Lee Radford is back in the head coaching hot seat and leads a Castleford club hoping to hit the heights of seasons gone by. Fans will be optimistic following the Clubs resurgence during the second half of 2021 - the Tigers reached the Challenge Cup Final and very nearly made the Play-Offs, eventually running out of steam at the final hurdle.

Alongside Radford is a cohort of new signings joining Castleford in 2022 – there has been no shortage of movement both in and out of the club during the off-season. Mahe Fonua, Bureta Faraimo and Joe Westerman all join the Tigers this year having played under Radford during their time at Hull FC. Now, the new boss’s biggest task will be to ensure his new squad gel quickly and find their feet as they look to mount a challenge in the top six this year.

Ins & outs

Ins:

George Lawler (Hull KR), Callum McLelland (Leeds Rhinos), Alex Sutcliffe (Leeds Rhinos), Mahe Fonua (Hull FC), Jake Mamo (Warrington Wolves), Joe Westerman (Wakfield Trinity), Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield Giants), Bureta Faraimo (Hull FC).

Outs:

Oliver Holmes (Warrington Wolves), Peter Mata’utia (Warrington Wolves), Lewis Bienek (London Broncos), Michael Shenton (Retired), Grant Millington (Retired), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Featherstone Rovers), Alex Foster (Newcastle Thunder).

Ones to watch

2022 stars

Cas have made some shrewd transfers ahead of 2022. The return of Joe Westerman to his hometown club is a key signing for the Tigers – Westerman was a standout for Wakefield last season and was selected in Shaun Wane’s England squad for their mid-season contest against the Combined Nations. His arrival back to the club where his career first began has been met with excitement - and rightly so. 

Westerman’s workman like approach will suit the Tigers hard-working forwards, as well as adding some extra flair with ball in hand, complimenting the ever-reliable Paul McShane in the middle third. Importantly, he will also be a leader. His experience will key in Castleford's pack as they chase a top six spot. It's been a few years since Westerman has competed in the Play-off's - so there's added incentive to get back there this season.

Half-back Jake Trueman had a torrid 2021 – back surgery saw his season cut short after playing in just a handful of games. Trueman, who turns 23 next month, is still highly revered as one of the best young talents in Super League and will be a welcome return to the Tigers spine. Castleford have an array of attacking threat in their playmaking roles and Trueman should reinvigorate the side on his return.

 He’s tough, skilful and has the x-factor to help take the Tigers back into the top six in 2022. And with a World Cup at the end of the year, an injury-free season could well see Trueman earn a place in Shaun Wane's England squad.

Next Generation

Several Castleford Tigers youngsters were afforded the chance to enjoy their first taste of Super League action in 2021. Among them was Cain Robb. The 19-year-old hooker starred for the Tigers in difficult conditions - part of a weakened squad that took the field against Salford a week before Castleford's trip to Wembley. And, despite a heavy loss, Robb showed his overwhelming potential. He played twice for Cas in 2021 - setting up tries in both contests. 

It wasn't just his attack prowess that caught the eye either. He managed to make 89 tackles in those two games and proved to be more than capable of filling in at the top level. And Robb will only get better, especially learning his trade under the mercurial Paul McShane. 

Defining dates

The Tigers don't have to wait long before facing former head coach Daryl Powell and his new side, Warrington Wolves. Cas travel to Halliwell Jones Stadium in a round 2 clash live on Sky Sports on Thursday 17 February. The reverse fixture will see the Tigers welcome Powell back to the Jungle on July 15 – a Friday Night clash under the lights which Cas fans certainly won’t want to miss.

Castleford’s most difficult period in 2022 may well be during a busy April – Cas face two West Yorkshire rivals in quick succession during the Easter break – first against Wakefield Trinity in Rivals Round on Thursday 14 April before taking on Leeds Rhinos the following Monday live on Sky Sports. There’s little rest bite for the Tigers who then host Champions St Helens five days later – their third match in a week - before flying out to Catalans the following weekend to face the League Leaders in the South of France. A difficult run of games in a heavily congested period.

2022 squad

1. Niall Evalds, 2. Derrell Olpherts, 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Jake Mamo, 5. Bureta Faraimo, 6. Jake Trueman, 7. Danny Richardson, 8. Liam Watts, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Lawler, 11. Kenny Edwards, 12. Adam Milner, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Nathan Massey, 15. George Griffin, 16. Callum McLelland, 17. Mahe Fonua, 18. Jacques O’Neill, 19. Tyla Hepi, 20. James Clare, 21. Alex Sutcliffe, 22. Daniel Smith, 23. Greg Eden, 24. Cheyse Blair, 25. Suaia Matagi, 27. Lewis Peachey, 28. Brad Martin, 29. Sam Hall, 30. Sosaia Feki, 31. Gareth O’Brien, 32. Cain Robb, 33. Jason Qareqare, 34. Jack Sadler, 35. Nathan Carter, 36. Mackenzie Scurr.