2024 Season Preview: Castleford Tigers

2023 was a year to forget for the Tigers. Racking up a total of just six wins all season, combined with three coaching changes, Castleford Tigers found themselves embroiled in a tense relegation battle with Wakefield Trinity - a replica of the famous race to survival in 2006.

A nail-biting and nervy end to the 2023 campaign saw the Tigers and Trinity go toe to toe with each other at the bottom of the Betfred Super League table, but it would be Castleford who managed to pick up the wins when it mattered. Finishing six points clear of the relegation zone, the Tigers became responsible for sending local rivals Wakefield Trinity out of the top flight - the first time since Trinity's promotion in 1998.

And there's a new man at Castleford's helm for 2024 - former Batley Bulldogs and Keighley Cougars head coach Craig Lingard. Lingard was appointed as Castleford's assistant coach mid way through 2023 but takes the reigns as head coach ahead of the 2024 Super League season.

With a squad shake up and list of exits at the Tigers, Lingard will be hoping he can dramatically change the club's fortunes in 2024. The Tigers can ill-afford a repeat of last season and will be determined to ensure they don't end up in another relegation dog fight.

Ins & outs

Ins

Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras), Elie El-Zakhem (North Sydney Bears), Sylvester Namo (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh Hodson (Batley Bulldogs), Josh Simm (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Sam Wood (Hull KR), Luke Hooley (Leeds Rhinos), Rowan Milnes (Hull KR), Innes Senior (Huddersfield Giants), Samy Kibula (Batley Bulldogs), Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi (Northern Pride).

Outs

Niall Evalds (Hull KR), Jordan Turner (Oldham RLFC), Nathan Massey (Featherstone Rovers), Greg Eden (Halifax Panthers), Alex Sutcliffe (Doncaster), Jacob Hookem (Dewsbury Rams), Bailey Dawson (Dewsbury Rams), Kieran Hudson (Leeds Rhinos), Ilikaya Mafi (released), Suaia Matagi (Doncaster), Blake Austin, Billy Tsikrikas, Jordan Johnstone, Alex Foster (all loans expired), Kenny Edwards (Mackay Cutters), Eliot Wallis (Huddersfield Giants), Gareth Widdop (retired), Aaron Willis, Courage Mkuhlani (both Midlands Hurricanes).

Ones to watch

2024 stars

Expect Castleford's 2023 Player of the Year Joe Westerman to be the club's talisman again this season. His leadership and experience proved key in the Tigers pack when they battled for survival last year. Westerman is a talented ball-playing middle with an impeccable work rate and has this year been handed the co-captaincy alongside former Man of Steel Paul McShane.

All eyes will also be on the return of Danny Richardson. The half-back is ready to make his long-awaited comeback after a devastating injury in late 2022 prevented him from playing a game last season. After tearing both his ACL and MCL, Richardson was unable to assist the Tigers with during last year's fight for survival and instead had to watch agonisingly from the sideline. Having since returned to the training field and getting stuck into the pre-season action, the influential playmaker will be determined to make his mark once again in 2024 and get back to being his best.

?? @DannyRich96 on the comeback trail...#COYF pic.twitter.com/6di4JdMHZA
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) November 16, 2023

Finally, Innes Senior has joined Castleford on a season-long loan. The talented winger has been with Huddersfield since 2018 and also enjoyed three successful loan spells with the Tigers' West Yorkshire neighbours Wakefield Trinity during this time - one in which he scored four tries in a single game for them in 2023, during a 42-6 thrashing over Warrington. Points are what the Tigers need to succeed this year and Senior is a man who can certainly deliver.

Next generation

From scholarship to First Team, Fletcher Rooney is the latest example of the talented products from Castleford's pathway and has recently signed a professional contract with the club, where he will remain a Tiger until at least 2026.

Rooney burst onto the scene when he made his first team debut in the final round of the 2023 season against Leeds Rhinos, playing an impressive 80 minutes at full-back. The rising star didn't once look out of place, running for 100 metres from 16 carries, and gained valuable experience in the Cas first team. Expect the promising youngster to be pushing for a spot in the Tigers 17 more frequently in 2024.

? Great experience for Academy youngster Fletcher Rooney to train with the First Team this morning!#COYF pic.twitter.com/4WSaJ2dhxP
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) September 12, 2023

Defining dates

The Tigers will need to start 2024 brightly if they are to avoid a potential repeat of last season.

They won just two of their first eight matches in 2023, before a dismal period of six straight defeats set the tone for the remainder of the season. Craig Lingard will be desperate to re-establish the Mend-A-Hose Jungle as their once notable fortress when they welcome teams there in the upcoming campaign.

The Tigers face a tough run of fixtures to begin 2024 - they host newly crowned Champions Wigan Warriors in the opening round, before travelling to Salford Red Devils' and Warrington Wolves' in the following two rounds. 

A strong start, consistency, and grinding out wins against teams in similar positions will have to be a top priority for the Tigers in 2024 if they are to enjoy any form of success.

Squad list

1. Luke Hooley, 2. Josh Simm, 3. Jack Broadbent, 4. Sam Wood, 5. Innes Senior, 6. Danny Richardson, 7. Jacob Miller, 8. Liam Watts, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Lawler, 11. Elie El-Zakhem, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Liam Horne, 15. George Griffin, 16. Rowan Milnes, 17. Nixon Putt, 18. Josh Hodson, 19. Sam Hall, 20. Muizz Mustapha, 21. Sylvester Namo, 22. Charbel Tasipale, 23. Jason Qareqare, 24. Cain Robb, 25. Brad Martin, 26. Samy Kibula, 27. Albert Vete, 28. Will Tate, 29. George Hill, 30. Luis Johnson, 31. Fletcher Rooney.