Cas vs Hull FC: Match Preview

Castleford will hope that their success in the Challenge Cup semi-final can lead to improved league form. After competing in the weekend’s semi-finals, both sides enter the match with differing levels of confidence from their retrospective results. Hull FC may feel slightly disgruntled by their loss to St Helens on the weekend.

This game will be LIVE for free on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel HERE, where you can set a reminder and watch the entire game as it happens.

RAINBOW LACES ROUND

Betfred Super League clubs will come together in Round 9 in support of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which usually takes place in December when Super League is out of season, however, following consultation with Stonewall, Sky Sports, and clubs, Super League felt it was important to acknowledge the campaign during the regular season.

Super League’s commitment to the Rainbow Laces campaign is an important part of the Sport’s wider anti-discrimination campaign Tackle IT! – details of which can be found here: https://www.rugby-league.com/tackle_it. The round will highlight the importance of issues surrounding discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity, as well as the positive work done both within the sport and the wider community, you can read more HERE.

FANS AT THE JUNGLE

Supporters are being welcomed to The Jungle for the game, but it will be a different matchday experience than most are used to, face coverings are to be worn at all times in the stadium, social distancing in your social bubbles is required, and specific entry points for each stand. 

Everything you need to know for your visit to The Jungle is detailed in our handy guide and FAQs section HERE.

ALL supporters attending games at Wheldon Road must agree to the Supporters’ COVID Code of Conduct which you can fill in online, please note if you have already filled in your information you do not need to do it again.

BACK TO THE LEAGUE, LOOKING FOR FORM

Securing a place at Wembley over the weekend put an end to the Fords’ three-match losing run and they now return to Super League action and look to regain the momentum they had earlier in the season but this time in the league and move back into the playoff hunt.

TIGERS TEAM NEWS

Daryl Powell has made five changes from the squad that was posted for last Saturday’s semi, with Niall Evalds, Jake Trueman, Cheyse Blair, Daniel Smith, and Gareth O’Brien making way for Danny Richardson, George Griffin, Lewis Bienek, Lewis Peachey, and Brad Graham stepping into the squad.

Griffin returns from serving his one-match suspension and Brad Graham is named in the 21-man squad declaration for the first time in 2021. The Tigers Academy product made his Super League debut against the Black & Whites in October last year.

THE OPPOSITION

Brett Hodgson’s men approach the game with two wins in five Super League matches, losing to the current top three – St Helens, Catalans Dragons, and Wigan Warriors.

Hull FC will have to ignore the haunts of their dramatic semi-final Challenge Cup exit to St Helens, after losing 18-33 – a scoreline that did not fairly reflect Hull’s efforts. The Black & Whites will be without centre Josh Griffin who unfortunately ruptured his Achilles tendon in the match on Saturday, Fijian British Army three-quarter Mitieli Vulikijapani has been recalled from York and is in the 21-man squad.

POWELL’S PREVIEW

Ahead of this home match, Head Coach Daryl Powell spoke to the press and said the mood in the camp has been very good following the result at the weekend but that the team will look different.

“We’ve got to try and manage our way through this really difficult period, the season is completely different when you see the number of games we are going to have to play. We need to take it week by week and try get our best team out on the field and try get outstanding performances.

 “(Hull) They’ve started the season outstandingly well and that was a tough result for them last week, they clawed their way back into the game and showed the character that they’ve got…”

WATCH Daryl’s preview of the game against Hull in full on Tigers TV

THE CLUBS HEAD-TO-HEAD

Over the last ten meetings between the Tigers and the Black & Whites, Hull has won six whilst Castleford won four.

In Super League, the Fords have won 21 times, whilst the Airlie Birds have won on 26 occasions and the two teams have shared points in a draw in 3 matches.

PLAYER’S VIEW

Nathan Massey is keen to get the win in front of the home fans on Thursday night after two home losses to Leeds and Hull KR.

“We want to make this place a bit of a fortress and it has been for us in previous years, but I don’t think we’ve done ourselves justice yet this year. Fingers crossed we can right that.”

WATCH Massey’s chat with the press in full, for free, on Tigers TV

HOW TO WATCH

Thursday’s game will be shown live on Sky Sports Action with coverage starting at 7.00pm, but also the game will be live and free on Sky Sports’ official YouTube channel too.

Watch Castleford Tigers vs Hull FC in Betfred Super League action on YouTube HERE.

THE SQUADS

Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: 2. Derrell Olpherts, 3. Peter Mata’utia, 4. Michael Shenton, 7. Danny Richardson, 8. Liam Watts, 9. Paul McShane, 11. Oliver Holmes, 13. Adam Milner, 14. Nathan Massey, 15. George Griffin, 17. Alex Foster, 18. Jacques O’Neill, 19. Tyla Hepi, 20. James Clare, 21. Jesse Sene-Lefao, 24. Suaia Matagi, 25. Jordan Turner, 26. Lewis Bienek, 27. Lewis Peachey, 28. Brad Martin, 30. Brad Graham

Hull FC 21-man squad: 1. Jake Connor, 2. Bureta Faraimo, 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 5. Mahe Fonua, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Marc Sneyd, 9. Danny Houghton, 10. Chris Satae, 11. Andre Savelio, 12. Manu Ma’u, 13. Ligi Sao, 14. Jordan Johnstone, 16. Jordan Lane, 17. Brad Fash, 19. Ben McNamara, 20. Jack Brown, 21. Adam Swift, 22. Josh Bowden, 23. Connor Wynne, 24. Cameron Scott, 27. Mitieli Vulikijapani.

GET INVOLVED

Cheer the Tigers on throughout the day on social media using #ReadyToRoar and #COYF