Castleford Tigers take on Bradford Bulls this week in what promises to be one of the most intriguing clashes of round six.
The Tigers should still be reeling from last week’s 72-6 hammering by Warrington Wolves and they’ll surely be fired up to bounce back and set the record straight against a Bradford side that has more than impressed so far. Ryan Carr won’t have had too much time on the training ground with his side, but he’ll be doing all he can to ensure his side’s attitude and intensity is where it needs to be heading into the Thursday night fixture.
Bradford, on the other hand, will make the short journey to Wheldon Road, looking for their first away win of the season. They’ve impressed on their travels at Hull FC and St Helens, but their wins so far have come at Odsal, with Catalans Dragons, Toulouse Olympique and Huddersfield Giants being put to the sword.
They’ll have a strong following and Kurt Haggerty’s side will be determined to put on another show for their supporters.
Here’s how we think both sides will line up.
Carr was honest and open in his appraisal of Castleford’s humiliation last week and some unforced changes could be on the way for the Tigers.
Zac Cini remains the most obvious player to start at full-back, though, with the only spine change likely to be a debut for Wigan Warriors’ loanee Tom Forber. The hooker joined the Tigers earlier this week and could step straight into the starting line-up to face the Bulls.
Krystian Mapapalangi is eligible to return after missing last week with a head knock and he’ll step back in at centre in a change that could see Jason Qareqare fall out of the side.
Jack Ashworth and Joe Stimson won’t be involved this week and that means changes will come in the middle. Joe Westerman is the obvious man to play at loose-forward and for the remaining prop spot, it could be a shoot out between George Lawler and Renouf Atoni. Only one can start alongside Brock Greacen, with the other set to come off the bench.
Ashton Golding looks set to come back into the squad this week and he’ll spell Forber.
Kurt Haggerty will make changes, too, with Waqa Blake set to start in place of Guy Armitage, should he be considered fit enough to do so. Rowan Milnes is back in the fold and he looks set to start alongside Jayden Nikorima in the halves.
Phoenix Steinwede arrived at Odsal on Monday and while he is still acclimatising to the time difference, he could be thrown straight into the side for a debut in a change that might see Leon Ruan drop to the bench.
Loghan Lewis and Brandon Douglas are fit again and it would not be a surprise to see them on the bench alongside Chris Atkin.
Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls predicted teams
Castleford Tigers: Zac Cini; Mikaele Ravalawa, Darnell McIntosh, Krystian Mapapalangi, Semi Valemei; Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver; Brock Greacen, Tom Forber, Renouf Atoni; Jordan Lane, George Hirst; Joe Westerman.
Bench: Ashton Golding, George Lawler, Jimmy Beckett, Sam Hall.
Bradford Bulls: Caleb Aekins; Connor Wynne, Waqa Blake, Esan Marsters, Ethan Ryan; Jayden Nikorima, Rowan Milnes; Ryan Sutton, Andy Ackers, Jack Ormondroyd; Ed Chamberlain, Phoenix Steinwede; Joe Mellor.
Bench: Loghan Lewis, Chris Atkin, Brandon Douglas, Leon Ruan.
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