Hull KR v Castleford: Predicted line-ups and late injury news

In the first Challenge Cup tie of the round, the 2015 runners-up do battle with the 2014 finalists for a place in the quarter-finals. Hull KR come into the match in search of a first win of the season. Meanwhile, Castleford will be looking to continue their 100% start as they take the first step in delivering the success Daryl Powell promised in his final season.

Hull KR’s tough job has been made tougher by a few absentees. Will Maher, Joe Keyes and Brad Takairangi – one of Hull KR’s major off-season signings – are still unavailable through injury. Joining Takairangi is fellow off-season recruit Korbin Sims exacerbating Hull KR’s problems in the forwards. He and Matty Storton miss out due to concussion protocols. Elliot Minchella will also be absent after his season was cruelly ended by an acl injury.

The Tigers are almost full strength with even some debate surrounding some of the starting positions. Gareth O’Brien is back after a head knock and could be included instead of Danny Richardson. Meanwhile, there’s always a discussion to be had over whether Adam Milner should start at loose-forward or be used off the bench. The Tigers are still without Sosaia Feki, Suaia Matagi, James Clare, Alex Foster and Jacques O’Neill meaning Powell will likely stick with the same 17 that beat Leeds.

Hull KR

1 Adam Quinlan

2 Ben Crooks

3 Greg Minikin

4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall

5 Ryan Hall

20 Mikey Lewis

7 Jordan Abdull

8 Albert Vete

14 Jez Litten

16 George King

12 Kane Linnett

13 Dean Hadley

15 George Lawler

Substitutes

9 Matt Parcell

27 Luis Johnson

28 Muizz Mustapha

33 Jimmy Keinhorst

Castleford

1 Niall Evalds

2 Derrell Olpherts

3 Peter Mata’utia

4 Michael Shenton

25 Jordan Turner

6 Jake Trueman

7 Danny Richardson

8 Liam Watts

9 Paul McShane

10 Grant Millington

11 Oliver Holmes

12 Cheyse Blair

14 Nathan Massey

Substitutes

13 Adam Milner

19 Tyla Hepi

21 Jesse Sene-Lefao

22 Daniel Smith