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Posted: Thursday 25th March 2021

10 reasons to be #ReadyToRoar this weekend!

With the 2021 Betfred Super League season just about to start, here are ten reasons to be excited for the Tigers’ opening match!

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1. First competitive game in five months

It will have been 153 days since Castleford were last in league action, a cold Monday night back in October against Leeds Rhinos in which the Headingley side edged past a 12-man Tigers team. It’s been a long 12-week pre-season and the Fords’ players are now itching to get going!

2. Sunday rugby live on Sky

Sunday rugby live on Sky Sports is back too with Castleford closing out the opening weekend at 2.45pm against Warrington Wolves.

3. Niall in action

One of the standout signings across the competition in 2021, Castleford have signed a star player in Niall Evalds, and he is set to make his competitive Tigers debut on Sunday. Given the #1 shirt, the fullback has shown his fantastic skillset already for Cas in the club’s sole pre-season friendly against Hull KR, a game in which he scored off a beautiful set play.

4. New season, new kit

A fresh new look to the Tigers in 2021 with a black home strip, it gets its first outing on Sunday afternoon!

5. Daryl Powell’s final Tigers’ opener

The Head Coach has confirmed that 2021 will be his last season in charge at the club, it will be his final Round One match with Castleford. Motivated to end his tenure with the Tigers on a high, Daryl Powell will be wanting a win to start off that final charge.

6. Motivation for a big season

Heading into the new season there is motivation across the park with more competition in positions, players out of contract at the end of the year, the Head Coach’s final campaign with Castleford and the desire to put right some wrongs from a difficult 2020 season.

7. Man of Steel

Paul McShane is set to be back in competitive match action, and after the incredible performances he has shown over the past few years which culminated in him winning the 2020 Steve Prescott Man of Steel, he is desperate to win something with this Castleford team.

8. Settle old scores

Castleford and Warrington have shared very close contests in recent years and twice in 2020 the Wolves just nicked the result near the very end of the game. Retribution could be on the cards and it offers the first chance for Cas to lay down a marker of intent for the year.

9. New faces

Two more new faces at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle this season are: Jordan Turner & Lewis Bienek, both featured in the pre-season friendly against Hull KR and impressed, Turner worked well on the left edge with Shenton, whilst Bienek’s bullish power was on display – both could be in line to make their Tigers’ Super League debuts.

10. Who pairs up in the halves?

Daryl Powell has confirmed that Danny Richardson will be in the 21-man squad but would make a decision on whether he would play or not later in the week. With the retention of Gareth O’Brien on a three-year deal, it makes for an exciting choice of halfback partners with three talented players in the mix. Jake Trueman’s two tries in Adam Milner’s testimonial showed he’s out to impress too.