Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons verdict as Danny McGuire’s side struggle in abysmal conditions

Catalans Dragons travelled to face Castleford Tigers in Round Five of Super League and here’s our verdict on how it all unfolded.

It was a game to forget for Castleford Tigers as they were outpowered from minute one to minute 80, eventually falling to a 26-4 defeat.

New signing Brad Singleton featured and did add some size to the Tigers pack but that’s where Catalans won it as they used their brute strength and size to defeat the Tigers in atrocious conditions at The Jungle.

Both sides had earned their first win of the Super League season in Round Four after falling short in their opening three games with those wins relieving plenty of pressure.

As such, both sides will have felt confident approaching the clash at The Jungle and that made for a competitive affair in the West Yorkshire rain and wind. Here’s our verdict on the game.

Castleford Tigers overpowered by Catalans Dragons

𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒊𝒓𝒆 en terre anglaise 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XP3azc1LHv

— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) March 22, 2025

The heavens opened in the lead-up to the game and that ensured that it would be a game of grit as opposed to skill and in the early minutes, it seemed Catalans would benefit from that.

A host of Dragons defenders bundled Tex Hoy beyond his in goal where he appeared to drop the ball and allow a Catalans try, however, upon review it was confirmed Hoy was tackled before he lost it.

Reimis Smith then had one ruled out minutes later but it was third time lucky as Tevita Pangai Jr crossed over to give the Dragons a deserved 4-0 lead. Castleford compounded the sloppy defence by then kicking out on the full from the restart to give Catalans some brilliant field position.

Catalans took that opportunity as Alrix Da Costa scored to give them two tries in as many sets. Castleford thought they had hit back through Innes Senior but it was ruled by Liam Rush that he had used a double movement to do so, something the video referee confirmed.

A late hit on Sam Tomkins gave Catalans a penalty from which he knocked over two points to make it 12-0 and minutes before the half Ollie Partington was on the end of one, allowing Tomkins to tack on another two points to give the Dragons a 14-0 lead at half-time.

That lead was extended after a Fouad Yaha try early in the second-half before Sam Tomkins scored one of his classic solo tries to make it 26-0 and secure himself an early birthday present.

Castleford did score late on through Innes Senior but it was only a consolation, however, the game ended with a bad feeling as it was reported by commentator Stuart Pyke that Jordan Dezaria had alleged verbal abuse from a Tigers fan as he left the field mid-game.

Good day for

Steve McNamara was a man under pressure, and potentially still is, but a win against Leeds and this dominant performance will certainly alleviate that pressure. Moreover, there was an identity to the performance today as Catalans worked on overpowering Castleford, something they did with ease.

Bad day for

The Castleford Tigers fans have had a rough time of it this year but this was potentially the worst day yet. Their side simply haven’t recruited well enough and that has shown in the performances. Making matters worse, those in attendance will have been absolutely soaked at Wheldon Road.

Star man

Sam Tomkins turns 36 on Sunday but there are no signs that he is slowing down, despite him having previously made the decision to retire. The Catalans talisman put in a stellar showing at full-back that he capped off with a brilliant try.

Teams

Castleford Tigers XIII: Tex Hoy, Josh Simm, Zac Cini, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Daejarn Asi, Rowan Milnes, Brad Singleton, Cain Robb, George Lawler, Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, Liam Horne

Interchanges: Judah Rimbu, George Griffin, Muizz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo

Catalans Dragons XIII: Sam Tomkins, Fouad Yaha, Matthieu Laguerre, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Julian Bousquet, Alrix Da Costa, Tevita Pangai Jr, Benjamin Garcia, Eliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington

Interchanges: Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Jordan Dezaria, Arthur Romano

Getting the Saturday action underway in Castleford 👊

Watch on SuperLeague+ and SkySports+ 📺#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ejNwRCbXAd

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 22, 2025