Castleford Tigers host Hull FC on Thursday night with the Black and Whites looking to go second in Super League with a win.
It has been an incredible turnaround for the Black and Whites who only amassed six points all season last year, compared to the seven that they find themselves on now courtesy of three wins, one draw and one loss.
Contrast that to Castleford who have picked up just one win from their five games and were also dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Bradford, and it’s fair to say that one team have certainly kicked on from 2024 whilst the other has arguably regressed.
Injuries haven’t been favourable to Castleford with Rowan Milnes missing the start of the season and young star Fletcher Rooney now being sidelined for four months, however, the performances haven’t been up to scratch either.
Ahead of Thursday’s clash at The Jungle, both coaches have named their 21-man squads.
Castleford Tigers team news
For Castleford, it is just a 20-man squad with Danny McGuire unable to name a full squad as Jeremiah Simbiken drops out after suffering an injury in the loss against Catalans Dragons.
George Hill also misses out amidst reported loan links to Salford Red Devils and he is replaced by Josh Hodson who started the season strong in the absence of Alex Mellor.
Recent addition Brad Singleton features and Joe Westerman is in after Danny McGuire confirmed last week that the forward had spent time in hospital, which led to him being rested for Saturday’s game against Catalans.
Castleford Tigers squad: Tex Hoy, Zac Cini, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Daejarn Asi, Rowan Milnes, Liam Horne, George Lawler, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman, Judah Rimbu, George Griffin, Cain Robb, Josh Hodson, Muizz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo, Josh Simm, Jenson Windley, Dan Okoro, Brad Singleton
20-Man squad is in 👊#COYF 🐯 pic.twitter.com/v1s0xO4AOI
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) March 25, 2025
Hull FC team news
John Cartwright confirmed a number of fresh injury concerns following his side’s 16-12 win over Wakefield Trinity with the most significant being Cade Cust (hip) and Jed Cartwright (hamstring).
He told BBC Humberside that Cust would be a wait-and-see with a decision to be made on Wednesday and it seems that remains the case with Cust named in the 21-man squad as expected. The club have confirmed that their medical team will keep tabs on him over the next 48 hours.
Zak Hardaker (calf) and Jed Cartwright (hamstring) both miss out whilst Davy Litten could make his first appearance, as Will Kirby is also called into action. Liam Watts looks set to run out against his old club as well.
Hull FC squad: 1 – Jordan Rapana, 4 – Ed Chamberlain, 5 – Tom Briscoe, 7 – Aidan Sezer, 8 – Herman Ese’ese, 9 – Amir Bourouh, 12 – Jordan Lane, 13 – John Asiata, 14 – Cade Cust, 17 – Jack Ashworth, 19 – Brad Fash, 20 – Davy Litten, 22 – Lewis Martin, 23 – Logan Moy, 31 – Hugo Salabio, 32 – Will Kirby, 33 – Will Hutchison, 34 – Lloyd Kemp, 39 – Sam Eseh, 40 – Liam Knight, 41 – Liam Watts
John Cartwright has named his 21-man squad ahead of Thursday’s Betfred Super League Round 6 clash against @CTRLFC at The Jungle 📋
Squad News 👉 https://t.co/bPjkogG5JM
⚫️⚪️ #COYH | https://t.co/69MwiDLYU2 pic.twitter.com/ac9njNmUCQ
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) March 25, 2025
