McShane aiming to bounce back in 2023

Two years is a long time in sport. Castleford Tigers captain Paul McShane was named the best player in Betfred Super League back in 2020 as he earned the coveted Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award.

Fast forward to 2022 and after a self-confessed quiet season in the number 9 shirt, McShane missed out on selection for the rearranged 2021 Rugby League World Cup. He had been on the verge of a place in Shaun Wane's England side having been selected for their mid-season clash against the All Stars, before earning a place in the extended squad at the end of the 2022 regular season.

However, Shaun Wane decided to leave out the former Man of Steel - instead backing a tried and tested Micky McIlorum and the in-form Andy Ackers for England's World Cup campaign.

McShane pulled no punches about his 2022 form and admitted to Castleford Tigers TV that it came as no surprise when he was told he wouldn't be part of Shaun Wane's plans at the recently staged World Cup.

"If I'm brutally honest I kind of expected it," McShane admitted.

"I didn't think my form last year was where it needed to be. I did three weeks with the fall out squad and it rejuvenated me a bit - I really enjoyed that time with the group. But yeah, unfortunately I didn't make it, but the rest has been good now to focus on this year [2023]."

? Cold one this morning

? https://t.co/WnajwhrBlF#COYF pic.twitter.com/cSvIuw4t73
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) December 6, 2022

McShane and the Tigers fell agonisingly short of reaching the 2022 Play-Offs. A narrow defeat to the Rhinos in the final round of the regular season put a premature end to Castleford's hopes of battling for a place at Old Trafford.

But the experienced hooker is ready to right the wrongs from last season both individually and as a collective in 2023.

"I didn't quite hit the straps where I want to be last year so hopefully this year I can get back to my best," McShane told Castleford Tigers TV.

"As a team, I think we need to be in the play-off mix and I think we can back ourselves to push for a top four spot - I don't think many will but us as a group we're pretty good when our backs are against the wall and people don't back us. So, I think we can aim for that, and I think we've strengthened our squad this year which is good."

New recruits Jacob Miller and Gareth Widdop are the headline signings for the club in 2023. The pair bring a wealth of experience to the Jungle and alongside Paul McShane, Joe Westerman and Niall Evalds, have the potential to be one of the best spines in Super League next year.

They will need time to develop their combinations and earn the respect from one another, as the Tigers put in the hard yards during pre-season to prepare for another gruelling season in 2023.

"It's [pre-season] where you can earn the respect of your teammates. It's not an easy time of year and you don't really enjoy it but it's where you get the respect for each other."