Saints vs Tigers: Match Preview

Both sides were due to face different opposition in this round of fixtures but following on from the positive Covid-19 tests at Hull FC earlier in the week both the Black & Whites and Salford Red Devils have been forced to postpone their matches. The reshuffle now sees Wakefield Trinity (Saints original opponents) facing Catalans Dragons on Saturday and the Tigers taking on St Helens on Sunday afternoon.

Daryl Powell’s men will be looking to shake off the disappointing result last week against Catalans Dragons, losing 14-40 in which the French club scored 40 unanswered points. The Tigers will be without centre Peter Mata’utia after receiving a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Samisoni Langi. In his pre-match press conference, Powell said he is considering using either James Clare or Alex Foster in the centres.

Two new names have been included in the 21-man squad for Sunday’s match, for the first time this season, Sosaia Feki has been named in the team list and could make his Tigers Super League debut after suffering a calf injury which caused a delay. Plus, the latest addition to the club, Gareth O’Brien, could make his second debut with Castleford after featuring in two games whilst on loan from Warrington back in 2013. Watch on Tigers TV an exclusive interview with O’Brien about his loan move to the Tigers for the remainder of the year.

The middles unit has also been boosted with the return of Liam Watts after suffering an arm injury at home, and Nathan Massey who pulled out late last week to be with his wife for the birth of their baby boy. If Watts does feature in the match it will mark his 250th Super League appearance, 58 for the Tigers, whilst Adam Milner could run out for his 250th career match – 247 of which playing for Cas, the other three on international duty, a brilliant achievement for one of our #ONECLUB men.

Back in March in the final rugby league match before the lockdown was imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Castleford Tigers produced one of their finest performances to beat St Helens 28-14 at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Following the lockdown, Saints have recorded two impressive wins from two matches including a thumping 48-0 win over Leeds Rhinos last time out. Saints make only one change from their previous 21-man squad as Jack Ashworth replaces Dominic Peyroux.

WHEN: Sunday, 16th August 2020 at 4.15pm

WHERE: Totally Wicked Stadium

HOW TO WATCH: Sky Sports Arena (Channel 408) from 4pm - Season Ticket holders who registered to watch via OURLEAGUE be able to tune in using their stream codes on the app

GET INVOLVED: Cheer the Tigers on throughout the day on social media using #ReadyToRoar

 

Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: 2 Derrell Olpherts, 4 Michael Shenton, 5 Sosaia Feki, 6 Jake Trueman, 7 Danny Richardson, 8 Liam Watts, 9 Paul McShane, 10 Grant Millington, 11 Oliver Holmes, 12 Mike McMeeken, 13 Adam Milner, 14 Nathan Massey, 15 Jesse Sene-Lefao, George Griffin, 17 Alex Foster, 20 Junior Moors, 21 James Clare, 22 Jacques O’Neill, 24 Tyla Hepi, 26 Calum Turner, 34 Gareth O’Brien.

St Helens 21-man squad: 1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Kevin Naiqama, 4, Mark Percival, 5. Regan Grace, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9, James Roby, 11. Zeb Taia, 13. LMS, 14. Morgan Knowles, 15. Matty Lees, 16. Kyle Amor, 17. Jack Ashworth, 19. Aaron Smith, 20. James Bentley, 22. Jack Welsby, 23. Joe Batchelor,  27. Lewis Dodd, 32. James Graham.