Super League Disciplinary: Castleford Tigers woes worsen as signing set for huge ban

Castleford Tigers’ new signing Sylvester Namo is set for a huge ban following their Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Wigan at the weekend.

Castleford’s injury woes have been well-documented this season, but their issues with numbers will only worsen following the humiliating defeat.

On top of the 60 points conceded, they’ll now be a man down until the summer, after Sylvester Namo was handed a Grade F Dangerous Contact charge – the highest possible grade – for a tackle which led to an injury for Willie Isa, who was stretchered off the field.

As this is the Papua New Guinea international’s first offence, the ban could be 6 games or more, or a suspension set at a specific period of time.

The Match Review Panel minutes say: “Dangerous Contact – Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”

This has been referred to a tribunal.

Castleford Tigers’ squad troubles

The Tigers could only name 19 players, rather than the usual 21-man squad, for the game against Wigan – and it’s clear that new signings are needed.

Before the match, head coach Craig Lingard said: “It’s difficult obviously getting the content on the field out there when you’ve got 15 people that have been unable to train all week and there’s not many of them that are going to be rushing back in either.”

It’s likely that new faces will be seen at Wheldon Road in the coming weeks, as he also said: “Yeah, calls have been made and calls and discussions are happening on an hourly basis, but with it being a Challenge Cup weekend this weekend it’s really difficult.

“We’re hoping to get some in next week but again situations at clubs change minute by minute and game by game.