Castleford Tigers take on St Helens tonight with both teams forced to make changes on account of injuries among other things.
Danny McGuire’s side have seen a loan player depart and another arrive whilst they’ve also seen one player ruled out for a large chunk of the season and another return from injury.
As for St Helens, they’ve seen signing Lewis Murphy sidelined with a hamstring injury that looks likely to leave him absent for around eight weeks whilst another key star in Moses Mbye has dropped out of the 21-man squad.
Castleford enter the game having been edged in golden point by Hull KR, with the Tigers losing by the smallest of margins in a drop goal. On the other hand, St Helens enter the game having set a Super League record margin of victory when they beat a second-string Salford 82-0.
With the Red Vee having played amateur opponents in the Cup and then what was effectively a reserve team in Round One, questions are being asked of their preparedness compared to Castleford who have had tough tests, albeit defeats, against Bradford and Hull KR.
Ahead of tonight’s fascinating game, we’ve predicted how each team could line up.
Predicted Castleford Tigers line-up
🤝 Danny McGuire names his squad to face the Saints!
🎟️ https://t.co/YsHjNGl7zl#COYF • @sixescricketuk pic.twitter.com/WbVcPbFc29
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) February 20, 2025
The two squad changes made by Danny McGuire see long-term injury Will Tate drop out to be replaced by Alex Mellor, whilst St Helens loanee Ben Davies has been sent packing back to his home club after uncertainty around playing against his parent club.
He has been replaced by Hull KR winger and ex-London Broncos man Lee Kershaw with Kershaw likely to get game time in the coming weeks given Castleford’s injury crisis among their backs.
It’s likely that the Tex Hoy at half-back experiment will continue on account of injuries but the positive aspect is that it gives Fletcher Rooney more game time at full-back with the sparkling youngster impressing last week and subsequently signing a five-year deal.
Josh Hodson could be the man to drop to the interchange bench on account of Mellor’s return and that will see him double up as a replacement back given his ability to play centre.
Predicted Castleford Tigers team: Fletcher Rooney; Josh Simm, Zac Cini, Sam Wood, Innes Senior; Tex Hoy, Daejarn Asi; Joe Westerman, Judah Rimbu, George Lawler; Alex Mellor, Jeremiah Simbiken, Liam Horne
Interchanges: George Griffin, Muizz Mustapha, Sylvester Namo, Josh Hodson
Predicted St Helens line-up
🔻 𝑺𝑸𝑼𝑨𝑫 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺
Head Coach Paul Wellens has announced his 21-man Saints squad for this Saturday’s @SuperLeague clash against @CTRLFC at The Jungle!
Full story 😇 https://t.co/6IlsZyXexa#COYS | St Helens Flooring
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 20, 2025
Losing Lewis Murphy is a major blow for St Helens but in Jon Bennison, they have a very capable replacement and that should be a straight swap for Paul Wellens.
Harry Robertston looks to be making the centre spot his own and that’s likely to continue with Konrad Hurrell again omitted from the 21-man squad. Outside of Murphy’s injury, it’s not expected that Wellens will make any real adjustments meaning it’s a straight-forward prediction.
Tristan Sailor scored four tries last week on his Super League debut and fans will be keen to see how he goes against stiffer opposition, whilst Matty Lees will be celebrating a new deal and looks set to lead the pack out from the front once again.
Predicted St Helens team: Jack Welsby; Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison; Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles
Interchanges: James Bell, Matt Whitley, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney
