Cas vs Huddersfield: match preview

It’s a second home game in quick succession for the Castleford Tigers when Huddersfield Giants come to town on Friday night!

The contest is scheduled to get underway at 8pm and it will also be shown live on Sky Sports Arena with coverage getting underway from 7:30pm.

Confidence is high in the Cas camp after two victories in a row and they will be looking to making it a hat-trick of wins this time around.

Last time out the Fords took the win in the most dramatic of circumstances against current League Leaders Shield holders Catalans Dragons. Cheyse Blair, Ryan Hampshire, and Derrell Olpherts all touched down for the Tigers, but it was Danny Richardson who was the hero on the day by smashing his golden point drop goal through the posts at the Wheldon Road end to send the crowd into raptures.

Ian Watson’s team will be a tough prospect due to the Giants currently being on a six-game winning run in Super League, taking the latest scalp of Hull KR away at Sewell Group Craven Park last weekend.

There is nothing quite like a big game under the lights at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle and we are anticipating another thrilling night of action on Friday!

Castleford Tigers encourage supporters to get their tickets in advance online by visiting castlefordtigers.com/tickets. 

Online - Get your tickets online by visiting castlefordtigers.com/tickets

In-person - Visit our Ticket Office at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle, on Wheldon Road, or head in-store to The Tigers Den at Carlton Lanes.

Opening Times - You can find our opening hours here

On Game Day - We advise getting e-tickets online at castlefordtigers.com/tickets - this is the easiest way to get your tickets and enter the ground on match day.

To purchase tickets at the gate, please head to the side of the training pitch and go to turnstiles 17 & 18 where both cash and card will be accepted. Turnstiles 17 & 18 will be the ONLY places that supporters can purchase match tickets at the gate.

Ticket Collection - Our Ticket office will be open from around 12pm for fans to pick up their tickets. This is located at the side of the training pitch.

Ticket prices – Standing / Seated

• Adult - £22 / £25
• Junior (6-16) - £14 / £17
• Concession - £14 / £17
• OAP (Over 60’s) - £14 / £17
• Student (With valid ID) - £14 / £17
• Under 5’s – Free (Entry ticket required from our Ticket Office or retail stores)

Entry information

Tigers Members and advance ticket holders can enter via any entrance point around the ground, with the stadium open fully from 2pm onwards for this fixture.

Radford makes just two changes to the team he named for the Catalans game with Liam Watts missing out due to suspension, and Ryan Hampshire comes out of the squad due to an injury he picked up in Sunday’s game which is still being assessed.

Into the squad then is the returning Niall Evalds following a bicep injury which he picked up in a match against Leeds Rhinos in April.

The Tigers’ first meeting with the Giants in 2022 came back in March at the John Smith’s Stadium where scores from Jake Trueman, Mahe Fonua, and Greg Eden saw the Tigers fight back from a 18 point deficit at the break to lead. However, a couple of Ricky Leutele tries late on saw Huddersfield eventually take the two points.

Ian Watson’s men will also be heading into the fixture with confidence after securing an impressive sixth straight win with a comfortable 38-10 victory over Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park last weekend.

Leroy Cudjoe was the star man on the day with the experienced centre going over on three occasions, however, the Giants could be without one of their most in-form players for the game at The Jungle.

Ricky Leutele notched a hat-trick over Cas in their previous clash and has been on a hot streak all season, although after colliding with KR’s Ben Crooks he looks likely to miss out on Friday night.

After coming up short to Wigan in the Challenge Cup Final, the Giants’ 2022 Super League season has certainly caught the eye as they look to make it to Old Trafford and go one further.

Head Coach Lee Radford previewed Friday night’s contest and detailed what his side can expect from the Giants pack.

“The pattern they play is going to be our challenge. We got it wrong at their place for the first 40 minutes last time out and that physical challenge up front early on is a big one for us. You only have to look at the squad they’ve got and the people outside their 17, you’d expect them to be up there. It’s about who turns up on the day and who wants it the most. They are a strong side, but I think we are as well and if we are at it we will give them a run for their money.”

Castleford’s drop goal hero Danny Richardson was on press duties this week and when speaking at the pre-match press conference, the half-back reflected on returning to the squad after a long injury layoff.

“It’s a relief to be back because getting injured in just round one was challenging. Mentally it’s tough because you see the lads play and it’s dragged for me. Kicking that drop goal on the weekend kind of made up for it all. I went through a tough patch, but I’ve got a good family around me. Huddersfield are going well this year and they are coming off six on the bounce. Hopefully we can spoil their party because we have been going well these past few weeks. We’ve had a real shift in intensity in the way we are going about our work and it’s showing in our results. We are expecting a tough battle, but we are hoping if we can take care of ourselves then we can get the two points.”

Castleford Tigers: 1. Niall Evalds, 2. Derrell Olpherts, 4. Jake Mamo, 5. Bureta Faraimo, 6. Jake Trueman, 7. Danny Richardson, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Lawler, 11. Kenny Edwards, 12. Adam Milner, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Nathan Massey, 15. George Griffin, 17. Mahe Fonua, 22. Daniel Smith, 23. Greg Eden, 24. Cheyse Blair, 25. Suaia Matagi, 28. Brad Martin, 33. Jason Qareqare, 37. Alex Mellor

Huddersfield Giants: 1. Will Pryce,2. Jermaine McGillvary, 5. Ashton Golding, 6. Tui Lolohea, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Michael Lawrence, 11. Josh Jones, 12. Chris McQueen, 13. Luke Yates, 14. Matty English, 15. Joe Greenwood, 17. Owen Trout, 18. Sebastine Ikahihifo, 20. Oliver Wilson, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 22. Louis Senior, 23. Olly Russell, 25. Innes Senior, 26. Nathan Mason, 29. Sam Hewitt, 37. Toby King

If you can’t make it to Friday night’s match you can watch it live on Sky Sports Arena and Fords fans don’t forget to get in touch with the Club on social media by using the hashtags: #NewCasEra or #COYF.