Keighley Cougars are set to host Castleford Tigers on Sunday in a 3pm kick-off for Jake Webster’s testimonial and the League One Champions have laid down the gauntlet with an impressive squad.
The most talked-about man of the off-season has been Luke Gale and his shock switch to the Championship, but also newly promoted Keighley.
That acquisition put down a marker but adding in Ben Crooks from Hull KR and Brad Walker from Wakefield Trinity among a host of others has highlighted that they’re seriously challenging for back to back promotions.
Such a feat would be close to unthinkable and surely one of the most impressive in rugby league history, but heading into Sunday’s matchup their squad announcement has highlighted that they could be serious challengers.
Keighley wasted no time in confirming that their star signing would feature against his old club as they revealed his inclusion prior to even the man the match is for, the other former Castleford Tigers’ star in Jake Webster.
ππ₯ππ±'π° π«π¬π± π ππ―π’π‘π¦π π±π¦π¬π«, π¦π±'π° π π°ππ¬π¦π©π’π―
π We can confirm that @snozzer_gale will turn out as a Cougar for the first time this Sunday afternoon in the @jw3testimonial match!
π Be there and don't miss out!
ποΈ https://t.co/Gb414h9PxL#JW3 pic.twitter.com/DGnHZeGaBu
— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) January 20, 2023
Webster of course also plays in his testimonial with the 39-year-old going for another season on the back of his brilliant career.
The Australian featured as a powerful try-scoring centre at the Jungle from 2012 to 2018 whilst Gale operated in the middle of the park there from 2015-2019 including during their epic 2017 campaign during which Gale earned the Man of Steel Award.
The Cougars confirmed their squad this morning with Alix Stephenson (Leg) ruled out through an injury sustained against the Thunder whilst both Josh Lynam and Anesu Mudoti miss out on a place in the squad for this Sunday.
Brad Walker (Shoulder) and Lloyd Roby (Knee) are continuing their rehabilitation from injury whilst Thomas Doyle is still serving a suspension with the hooker unavailable until the Round 2 fixture away at Widnes Vikings.
1 | Lewis YOUNG
3 | Charlie GRAHAM
4 | Nathan ROEBUCK
5 | Mo AGORO
7 | Jack MILLER
8 | Dan PARKER
9 | Billy GAYLOR
10 | Toby EVERETT
11 | Kyle TROUT
12 | Aaron LEVY
13 | Kyle KESIK
14 | Harvey SPENCE
15 | Brenden SANTI
17 | Keenan DYER-DIXON
19 | Ellis ROBSON
22 | Dane CHISHOLM
23 | Robbie STOREY
24 | Mark IOANE
25 | Ben CROOKS
27 | Sadiq ADEBIYI
28 | Keenen TOMLINSON
31 | Luke GALE
33 | Jake WEBSTER
Meanwhile Castleford have named a far more experienced squad than their pre-season opener which saw them lose to another Championship hopeful, Featherstone Rovers, on New Year’s Eve.
Lee Radford has named a squad that features new signings Jacob Hookem and also Albert Vete who will debut for the side.
β π¦π€π¨ππ π‘ππ ππ ππ’π₯ ππππππππ¬ ππ₯πππ‘πππ¬
Sponsored by @GeoShieldUK π€
Lee Radford has selected a 28-man Tigers squad for Sundayβs pre-season contest at @Cougarmania!
Full details ‡οΈ#COYF
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) January 20, 2023
Warrington Wolves
Sam Burgess makes decision on future following South Sydney links
Salford Red Devils
Salford Red Devils star shown red card
