Castleford Tigers and Featherstone Rovers players talk up rivalry ahead of meeting

For the first time in a long time, Featherstone Rovers and Castleford Tigers will renew rivalries ahead of the new year as they meet in a pre-season friendly on New Year’s Eve.

It is a game that still holds a lot of meaning with the two teams as former Leeds Rhinos man Callum McLelland emphasised this on Castleford’s Twitter page.

He said:

“It will be an interesting experience, I am so excited to be able to play if I get chosen or not or if I am able to play or not.

“Growing up, if you’re from Cas you support Cas if you’re from Fev you support Fev. It will be a tasty one.”

Meanwhile, Craig Hall of Featherstone Rovers is equally excited by the prospect:

“Played against them quite a few times, but never for Featherstone but I have played in a Cas Wakefield derby.

“All the fans are excited for it, just good to get rugby back. It’s New Year’s Eve. I’ve never played on New Year’s Eve, I’ve played on Boxing Day, it makes you start playing a bit quicker before a couple more friendlies before the season starts.”

Featherstone will be hoping for meetings in the future if they can secure promotion in 2023.