Last night Castleford Tigers confirmed their 2023 squad numbers at a great event at Oulton Hall.
In doing so, Lee Radford confirmed his first choice 13 which is quite different to his 2022 first 13 with Jake Mamo, Danny Richardson, Adam Milner and Liam Watts moving to higher squad numbers whilst the departures of Derrell Olpherts and Jake Trueman have left few gaps in the first 13.
Unsurpsisingly, the spine is made up of Niall Evalds, Gareth Widdop, Jacob Miller and Paul McShane.
The wing spots are set to be taken by Greg Eden and Bureta Faraimo. Eden, like Mahe Fonua who takes the four shirt, have both moved into the first 13 after missing out last year but impressing.
Jordan Turner is still the club’s first choice centre with Jack Broadbent taking 17, Fonua’s old number suggesting his versatility could see him take a spot on the bench when everyone’s fit. Turner keeps three and Mamo moves to 21.
George Lawler moves to the number eight and joins George Griffin in the first choice front row.
They have an exciting backrow with Kenny Edwards joined by Alex Mellor who after his midseason move from Leeds Rhinos last year moves to 12. Joe Westerman is unsurprisingly the first choice 13.
1 Niall Evalds
2 Greg Eden
3 Jordan Turner
4 Mahe Fonua
5 Bureta Faraimo
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Jacob Miller
8 George Lawler
9 Paul McShane
10 George Griffin
11 Kenny Edwards
12 Alex Mellor
13 Joe Westerman
