Castleford Tigers host Wigan Warriors on Sunday afternoon in the final match of the opening round of the Super League season.
The clash will be Ryan Carr’s first league game in charge of the Tigers and he’ll have a raft of new signings at his disposal with 10 being named in his 21-man squad. Matt Peet will travel to Wheldon Road with a more familiar looking squad, with one or two new recruits set to feature.
Both sides would dearly love the two points on the opening weekend of the season and they’ll be going all out to make that winning start.
Here’s how we think both sides might line up.
It promises to be an exciting afternoon for Castleford fans as they get a glimpse of what Carr’s new look Tigers side will look like on home soil. They can expect to see Blake Taaffe in at full-back, with an outside back line up that features Mikaele Ravalawa, Darnell McIntosh, Krystian Mapapalangi and Jason Qareqare.
Zac Cini and Semi Valemei would play ordinarily but both are battling injury issues at present.
Daejarn Asi and Tom Weaver will start their first Super League game together, while it would not be a surprise to see the starting pack made up of squad numbers 8 to 13. Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood and George Lawler might make up the front row, with Jordan Lane and Alex Mellor on the edges and Joe Stimson at 13.
It seems fairly likely that Brock Greacen, Joe Westerman, Chris Atkin and Brad Singleton could come off the bench against the Cherry and Whites
The only doubt regarding Wigan’s line-up is the fitness of Harry Smith. The half-back has been named in the squad after recovering from the wrist surgery he had over the off-season, but whether he’ll be ready to start remains to be seen.
If he’s fit enough he’ll play, but Jack Farrimond will be the man called upon if the number seven isn’t quite ready.
Zach Eckersley looks to be a recognised starter now and he’ll play on the wing this week, with Ethan Havard and Luke Thompson starting through the middle and Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell can expect to start in the back-row, with Oliver Partington at 13.
Tom Forber will spell Brad O’Neill at some point in the game, with Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters and Patrick Mago available to come off the bench, too.
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Predicted Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors teams
Castleford Tigers: Blake Taafe; Mikaele Ravalawa, Darnell McIntosh, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jason Qareqare; Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver; Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, George Lawler; Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor; Joe Stimson.
Bench: Brock Greacen, Joe Westerman, Chris Atkin, Brad Singleton
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell; Oliver Partington.
Bench: Tom Forber, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago.
