Tomkins: Castleford need to produce when it matters

Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins says Castleford need to show they can cope with the pressure of knockout football.

The Tigers have dominated this season and have only lost three Super League matches.

Despite this, the League Leaders’ Shield winners were beaten in the pressure-cooker of their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Hull FC earlier in the year.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Tomkins has not only questioned Castleford’s knockout pedigree but also their style of play.

“The challenge for them is to win a knock-out game, because they’ve only been involved in one big one and they came up short,” said the Warriors No 1.

He added: “I heard an interview with Michael Shenton, I think it was him saying they’re changed the way rugby league has been played – or he was quoted saying that – and they’re not doing that.

“They’re playing well. But they’re playing similar shapes to what every team plays.”

Tomkins and Wigan take on Daryl Powell’s side this afternoon needing a win to go back into the top four ahead of the final round of Super 8s fixtures.

For the Tigers, it’s a case of continuing their momentum as they look to reach 50 competition points for the season – a feat only achieved in Super League once by Leeds in 2004.