Match Preview - Salford Red Devils (H)

The Tigers return to the Mend A Hose Jungle as we host Salford Red Devils in Round 15 of the Betfred Super League. 

Cas had a close encounter with Salford earlier on in the season, losing 14-6 at the Salford Stadium. A try from Greg Eden just wasn’t enough as an effort from Brodie Croft just before Half Time and a try from Shane Wright took the points for Salford. 

The Fords will be looking to do one better this time around as the lads look to continue their form after last week’s win at Magic Weekend. 

£25.00 – Adult 

£17.00 – Junior (age 6 to 16) 

£17.00 – OAP (over 60’s) 

£17.00 – Student (With Valid Student ID) 

Grassroots rugby and youth development are vitally important, and our 'Cas Roots' initiative has been built upon highlighting the wonderful work that is done at the local community level and at our club. 

2022 was the Tigers’ first designated #CasRoots fixture where our local community clubs were involved in festivals ahead of kick-off, our LDRL and PDRL sides soaked up the atmosphere with a lap of honour, as well as our Youth and Women’s teams also being involved. 

The Fords are regularly involved with our local clubs with First Team player visits and much more. On matchdays at The Jungle, we have hosted minis and juniors festivals, giving young girls and boys the chance to play where their heroes play - and maybe where one day they will shine as a professional too. 

Castleford Tigers' Youth Department has an expansive pathway for not only nurturing and improving rugby talent but also education provisions from the age of 11 all the way through to the university level. Our Academy/Reserves, Scholarship and Women's players can all benefit from those provisions. 

Social inclusion in rugby league is only getting bigger and better, our LDRL side recently hosted a brilliant festival at Castleford Panthers and will once again feature at Magic Weekend on the St James' Park pitch. Cas’ PDRL side had representatives in the England World Cup team last year and continually have new members signing up which is incredible to see. More people than ever before can wear our colours and be Tigers players! 

This event will aim to give something back to our partner clubs and all of our Tigers teams for their effort and dedication to the sport. 

• Live music from DJ Harry Denton, Hannah Goodall & Laura Claire 

• Photo opportunities with ex-players 

• Gravity Fanzone 

• Balloon Modelling 

• Food Outlets 

• Cas Roots Festival 

Andy Last makes three changes to his squad as youngsters Will Tate, Aaron Willis and Jacob Hookem make the 21, as well as Alex Sutcliffe who returns after playing for Halifax last week. Liam Watts faces a one match suspension picked up against Leeds Rhinos at Magic Weekend and Alex Mellor is out after failing a HIA after the final whistle. Bureta Faraimo and Elliot Wallis also drop out of the 21-man squad. 

The successful Salford spine look to line up and cause damage to the Tigers as Brierley, Croft and Sneyd are all named. In form forward Tyler Dupree is also available for selection as he looks to show his class and march the Red Devils down the field. Centres Tim Lafai and Kallum Watkins will both be a danger out wide and could be a problem for Cas. 

“They’re a pretty impressive team, especially with the ball. They like to shift the ball early in sets, usually tackles one and two, they have everyone behind the ball and like to shift it. We’ve seen that on video and hopefully we can nullify that to some extent.” 

“Croft is unbelievable. He does an awful lot for that team. He runs the ball a lot for a half back. I think he has the most carries of all the half backs in the competition. He always asks questions of the line so he’s one we need to keep an eye on.” 

“The tweaks that we’ve made, the boys have really bought into them. Last week we weren’t happy from a defensive point of view against Leeds. They scored some easy points but offensively we showed some good cohesion.” 

“We created some opportunities against Salford and just didn’t nail them. At Magic, we nailed them. Salford will present us with some opportunities to score points and its up to us to ensure our execution is right and we take those chances. 

Castleford Tigers: 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Mahe Fonua, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Jacob Miller, 8. George Lawler, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Griffin, 11. Kenny Edwards, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Nathan Massey, 15. Alex Sutcliffe, 17. Jack Broadbent, 18. Muizz Mustapha, 23. Suaia Matagi, 24. Cain Robb, 25. Brad Martin, 28. Sam Hall, 30. Jacob Hookem, 31. Jason Qareqare, 33. Aaron Willis, 39. Will Tate 

Salford Red Devils: 1. Ryan Brierley, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Jack Ormondroyd, 10. King Vuniyayawa, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Oliver Partington, 14. Chris Atkin, 15. Danny Addy, 16. Tyler Dupree, 19. Adam Sidlow, 21. Amir Bourouh, 22. Rhys Williams, 24. Matt Costello, 25. Ben Hellewell, 28. Deon Cross 

Widdop vs Brierley 

Gareth Widdop had an impressive performance against Leeds at Magic Weekend, kicking the decisive two points to take the lead with just over 5 minutes to go. He goes head-to-head with Ryan Brierley who has been massively influential in the Salford attack. Brierley again was a standout performer for the Red Devils last week. 

McShane vs Atkin 

The battle of the hookers, Paul McShane leads the Tigers side into battle on Friday and is hoping to continue his form from Magic Weekend. The Tigers captain led from the from the front with a solid attacking and defensive display. His opposite number Chris Atkin  sets the platform for the Salford outfit and looks to cause damage around the ruck as well as adding to the existing threat of the spine. 

Miller vs Croft   

Jacob Miller crashed over for a well worked try at Magic Weekend and gave the Tigers fans plenty to cheer about as Cas continuously looked dangerous within the Leeds half, he will be looking to do the same this week. The Tigers will be hoping to deal with last year’s man of steel winner Brodie Croft who again in 2023 has been influential in Salford’s recent success.