Castleford Tigers suffer huge blow ahead of new season

Castleford Tigers have suffered a huge blow ahead of the new Super League after their win over Keighley Cougars in Jake Webster‘s farewell match.

The Tigers won the game 54-0 with 10 tries and seven goals all of which came from new signing Luke Hooley from the Leeds Rhinos.

It was a good game for the club’s new recruits with two tries from new signing Innes Senior as well as a brace for Josh Hodson after his move from Batley Bulldogs. He also notched an assist for the opening try of the game which went to another new recruit in the shape of former St Helens and Hull FC star Josh Simm on his Castleford debut.

The Tigers also had a returning Luis Johnson on the bench. Johnson returned to the club where he spent time on loan last year after his contract with Hull KR expired. He also spent time in the club’s academy as a junior. On his return, he scored however he was introduced earlier than planned after an injury to Alex Mellor.

The former Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants backrower has now been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury meaning he will likely miss the first month of Super League.

The club issued the following statement: “Alex Mellor will be sidelined for approximately eight weeks with a knee injury sustained in the Fords’ win over Keighley. Get well soon, Mels.”

Castleford Tigers team news

Craig Lingard named a 20-man squad to head over to Keighley on Sunday as the Tigers looked to open their 2024 account with a win and did so emphatically. Six debutants featured and got their first taste in Tigers’ colours.

Josh Simm, Josh Hodson, Luke Hooley, Innes Senior, Nixon Putt and Rowan Milnes all featured giving the travelling Tigers faithful a glimpse of some of the signings on Sunday.

They are all fit for the start of the season but Danny Richardson and of course Alex Mellor don’t appear set to feature come Round One.

Who do Castleford Tigers play?

Castleford have two more friendlies scheduled before the start of the season. Craig Lingard is set to experiment with his squad against the newly promoted London Broncos before they take on Huddersfield Giants in their final friendly.

The Tigers then have the difficult task of hosting Super League Champions Wigan Warriors in Round One at home on February 17th.

They then play away against Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves before hosting Huddersfield Giants.

In Round Five they travel to France to take on Catalans Dragons.