Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants have named their Challenge Cup squads with one opponent targeting a possible upset.
Both sides will play on Sunday with Luke Robinson’s team heading to face Hunslet whilst Castleford will take on Bradford Bulls in the game that the BBC have elected for coverage.
Reacting to news of the game being broadcast, Tigers head coach Danny McGuire argued that it was being viewed as a “potential ambush” and that his side would have to be prepared and “ready to fight back”.
Now that both the Castleford Tigers and Bradford Bulls squads have been named, it’s clear to see why some might be expecting an upset with Brian Noble’s Bulls boasting an incredibly strong squad that features plenty of former and future Super League stars.
As a result, Danny McGuire has headed in with a very strong team – as most Super League coaches have done for Round Three of the Challenge Cup – with the squad news revealed below.
Castleford Tigers and Bradford Bulls Team News
Starting with the TV game, with coverage on the BBC Red Button, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, Castleford have gone strong with all four overseas signings Daejarn Asi, Judah Rimbu, Zac Cini and Jeremiah Simbiken named.
That quartet will get a taste of what Odsal is like in something that is bound to be a culture shock for the overseas recruits.
The key names missing for Castleford are winger Jason Qareqare and the injured playmaker Rowan Milnes with Danny McGuire having previously played hooker Rimbu in the halves against Hull FC.
Castleford Tigers Squad: Tex Hoy, Zac Cini, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Daejarn Asi, Liam Watts, Liam Horne, George Lawler, Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman, Judah Rimbu, George Griffin, Cain Robb, Josh Hodson, Muzz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo, Fletcher Rooney, Josh Simm, Will Tate, Dan Okoro
As for Bradford Bulls, Brian Noble has flexed his muscles with a very strong squad named that features a host of former Super League men including former Challenge Cup finalist Michael Lawrence.
Bradford Bulls Squad: Guy Armitage, Logan Bayliss, Waqa Blake, James Donaldson, Zac Fulton, Matty Gee, Kieran Gill, Sam Hallas, Tom Holmes, Joe Keyes, Michael Lawrence, Jordan Lilley, Bayley Liu, James Meadows, Ronan Michael, Jayden Okunbor, Franklin Pele, Ebon Scurr, Mitch Souter, Jorge Taufua, Emmanuel Waine
Huddersfield Giants Team News
Huddersfield also face Championship opposition in their Challenge Cup tie, however, they take on Hunslet who were promoted from League One and present a slightly less daunting task.
What has been a big issue for Huddersfield and could play in Hunslet’s favour is the fact that the Giants have been hit with plenty of injury issues over the pre-season.
They have been able to name three returnees in Zac Woolford, Tui Lolohea and Leroy Cudjoe but Adam Clune remains injured whilst Taane Milne is back home in Australia as his partner gives birth.
Huddersfield Giants Squad: Jacob Gagai, Adam Swift, Jake Bibby, Tui Lolohea, Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford, Thomas Burgess, Jack Murchie, Sam Hewitt, Harry Rushton, Ashton Golding, Joe Greenwood, Fenton Rogers, Elliot Wallis, Leroy Cudjoe, Jack Billington, Kieran Rush, Connor Carr, George Flanagan, Jack Bibby, Darius Carter
