News

Posted: Wednesday 23rd June 2021

Tigers vs Dragons: Match preview

The Tigers welcome Catalans Dragons to The Jungle for Betfred Super League action on Thursday night, kicking off at 7.45pm.

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Castleford Tigers will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins after the derby day success over Wakefield Trinity in the last round, but their opponents however have not been easy to beat this season, losing just one of their last nine league matches and sitting at the top of the table heading into Round 11.

MID-SEASON INTERNATIONAL

Both teams will have player absences on Thursday due to the England versus Combined Nations All Stars fixture on Friday.

Castleford will be without England international Paul McShane as well as Peter Mata’utia and Suaia Matagi who have been selected for the All Stars. On the other side, Catalans will be missing Tom Davies and Sam Tomkins who have been named in the England squad alongside the Tigers’ #9.

England v Combined Nations All Stars takes place on Friday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, kicking off at 7.45pm and will be live on Sky Sports.

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.

For a handy guide and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please CLICK HERE.

TIGERS TEAM NEWS

Head Coach Powell makes five changes to the squad that was declared for the last round with Adam Milner, James Clare, Lewis Bienek, Sam Hall, and Brad Graham available for selection, whilst Peter Mata’utia, Paul McShane, Suaia Matagi, Jesse Sene-Lefao, and Gareth O’Brien step out.

Tyla Hepi has been called back from his loan to York City Knights for this fixture and will be available for selection before returning to York for the remainder of his loan spell.

Castleford Academy product Sam Hall is named in the preliminary squad for the fifth time this season. The 18-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance this season but looked impressive in the Academy’s last game scoring two tries against Hull FC.

THE OPPOSITION

Steve McNamara’s men approach the game in frightening form winning all five of their most recent Super League matches, including victories over Wigan Warriors and St Helens.

The Dragons make six changes to the squad that played against Leigh in their last round of fixtures and have their own injuries and international duties to contend with. Ex-Castleford star Mike McMeeken is named in the squad and if selected, will return to The Jungle for the first time since moving to the French club.

CLARE KEEN TO IMPRESS

After missing the last two matches due to an injury niggle, outside back James Clare is keen to get back out onto the field and stake his claim for a spot in the squad that will be playing at Wembley in just over three weeks’ time.

“You ask any rugby league player what we enjoy doing and it’s actually playing rugby league, nobody wants to train and sit on the side lines and watch, you just want to get to a game, play it as quick as possible, watch it back and then play the next game!”

 “It’s a great feeling to be back and hopefully test ourselves against an extremely good Catalans team and fight for a place when we go onto Wembley.”

WATCH Sticks’ chat with the press ahead of Round 11 on Tigers TV

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Over the last ten meetings between the Tigers and the Dragons, Castleford have won six whilst Catalans have won four.

The Fords have not been beaten by the Dragons at home since 2012, having won seven and drawn one.

In the Super League, the Fords have won 14 times, whilst the French side have won on 13 occasions and the two teams have shared points just once.

THE SQUADS

Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: 1. Niall Evalds, 2. Derrell Olpherts, 4. Michael Shenton, 7. Danny Richardson, 8. Liam Watts, 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, 22. Daniel Smith, 25. Jordan Turner, 26. Lewis Bienek, 27. Lewis Peachey, 28. Brad Martin, 29. Sam Hall, 30. Brad Graham, 33. Jason Qareqare.

Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: 1. Arthur Mourgue, 3. Samisoni Langi, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Fouad Yaha, 6. James Maloney, 7. Josh Drinkwater, 8. Gil Dudson, 10. Julian Bousquet, 11. Matt Whitley, 12. Mike McMeeken, 14. Alrix Da Costa, 15. Benjamin Jullien, 16. Paul Seguier, 17. Mickael Goudemand, 18. Lambert Belmas, 20. Matthieu Laguerre, 24. Jason Baitieri, 27. Joe Chan, 28. Sam Kasiano, 31. Cesar Rouge, 32. Romain Franco.

POWELL’S PREVIEW

Daryl Powell is looking forward to the challenge of Steve McNamara’s men who have had a two-week break between matches.

“It means one of two things; they are going to either be unbelievably fresh and at it, or sometimes you can be a bit rusty with that sort of break. We have to try and impact the game the way that we can and see what happens from there.”

 WATCH the full preview with Powell on Tigers TV

HOW TO WATCH

Season Ticket Holders can watch this game live on Our League with their existing Our League season ticket code.

Further details on how to redeem and watch using your unique Season Ticket code are available here. Please note requests for codes that have not been received need to be sent to ticketing@castigers.com no later than 48 hours prior to a match.

This match in full will be available to watch for Tigers TV subscribers on Monday, highlights of the match will be available for everyone to view too.

GET INVOLVED

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