Cas vs Catalans: Match Preview

This Friday sees the Tigers take on Catalans Dragons at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle for the second time this season.

The Fords will be eager to get back to winning ways after suffering defeat at Saints despite a battling performance in the second-half and Lee Radford's men will be boosted by the knowledge that last time they faced the French side they came out on top.

The last time Cas hosted the Dragons earlier in the season, it turned out to be a humdinger of a contest. It was a back-and-forth game with the lead changing on a few occasions and Derrell Olpherts’ 65th-minute score set up a grandstand finish, although neither team could break the deadlock in normal time. Danny Richardson was the man to step up to become Castleford’s golden point hero as the scrum-half slotted the winning drop goal in front of a euphoric Wheldon Road end.

Our penultimate home match is RETRO ROUND, therefore we would like to see as many Cas fans wearing shirts from yesteryear, and tickets for what should be a cracking game are available online HERE.

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 Game Day Ticket Office will be open from 5.30pm 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 6.30pm onwards for this fixture.

Lee Radford makes two changes to the squad for this week as Liam Watts serves the first game of his two-match suspension, and Cheyse Blair is out due to concussion protocol. Jake Mamo returns to the squad after a short spell out with a head injury.

Catalans, who are coming into this game off the back of a 20-16 win away at Wakefield, sit just above Cas in the table in 4th place and are 6 points better off. They will be looking to close the gap on second-placed Wigan and can leapfrog Huddersfield with a win at Wheldon Road.

Dylan Napa, Joe Chan, and Matthieu Laguerre return to the Dragons squad, however, the travelling contingent will be without 10 players through injury.

Ahead of Friday night's clash, Cas Head Coach Lee Radford put forward what his side need to implement in their game to get a positive result against Catalans.

“Those clubs that are vying for those fifth and sixth spots are in the same boat in terms of troops. You can’t afford to take Catalans lightly. There’s only one outcome when you do that. They put a number on us at their place. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do it, and we’ll make sure we do it the right way tomorrow [Friday]”

Watch Lee Radford's full press conference on Tigers TV

Tigers Captain Paul McShane was on media duty on Thursday and the hooker explained that Castleford's ambitions to finish in the top six is still in their hands.

“I’m expecting a different team to what they have been fielding, but they’re a strong, physcal side and have one of the best spines in the competition, so it’ll be a tough game. It’ll be our biggest challenge as forwards matching their forwards in the middle of the park. We’re in the top six at the moment, and if we get the right results, we’re in control of our own destiny.”

Paul McShane's press conference is available to watch on Tigers TV

Gareth O’Brien vs Tyrone May – Gareth O’Brien had a solid game against Saints on Sunday and will be pivotal to success for the Tigers. Tyrone May got the better of Cas over in Perpignan and will be looking to do the same here.

Greg Eden vs Arthur Mourgue – It doesn’t matter where Greg Eden plays at the minute as he’s versatile and in fine form. Mourgue will be learning from the experience of Sam Tomkins and will want to keep kick on at Full Back.

Joe Westerman vs Alex Da Costa – It's the battle of the 13s. Both are good ball-handling players and very tough running forwards. Definitely one to keep a close eye on in the middle of the field.

Castleford Tigers: 2. Derrell Olpherts, 5. Bureta Faraimo, 7. Danny Richardson, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Lawler, 11. Kenny Edwards, 12. Adam Milner, 13. Joe Westerman, 15. George Griffin, 17. Mahe Fonua, 21. Alex Sutcliffe, 22. Daniel Smith, 23. Greg Eden, 25. Suaia Matagi, 28. Brad Martin, 29. Sam Hall, 30. Sosaia Feki, 31. Gareth O'Brien, 32. Cain Robb, 33. Jason Qareqare, 37. Alex Mellor

Catalans Dragons: 1. Arthur Mourgue, 2. Tom Davies, 3. Samisoni Langi, 4. Dean Whare, 6. Mitchell Pearce, 7. Josh Drinkwater, 9. Michael McIlorum, 14. Alrix Da Costa, 15. Benjamin Jullien, 16. Paul Seguier, 18. Mathieu Laguerre, 20. Tyrone May, 21. Corentin Le Cam, 22. Dylan Napa, 24. Mathieu Cozza, 25. Cesar Rouge, 26. Romain Franco, 27. Joe Chan, 28. Sam Kasiano, 29. Sam Tomkins

The only way to watch the game is by being down at Wheldon Road to cheer the boys on from the stands.

Get in touch with the Tigers on our official social media channels and share your pictures and videos by tagging the club and using the hashtags #NewCasEra or #COYF.