Jon Wilkin has claimed that Castleford Tigers have the “worst squad in Super League” with the Sky Sports pundit outlining the major challenge that Danny McGuire faces, and then met, in Super League this year.
Wilkin’s comments came before the Tigers lost 19-18 to Hull KR in golden point with his pre-match analysis seeing him tear apart Castleford and claim that the ‘challenge’ for Danny McGuire is “getting belief” into his players.
Fast forward to the post-match analysis after Castleford put in a brilliant performance and Wilkin declared that the belief is certainly present among the Tigers squad.
It wasn’t just Wilkin who expected the Tigers to struggle with their Challenge Cup defeat to Bradford Bulls still in the memory of most ahead of the clash at Craven Park.
However, the performances from Sunday and Friday were like chalk and cheese with Castleford pushing the Robins all the way and arguably unlucky to lose the game.
Pre-match, Wilkin laid out the huge challenge the club face as he said: “Danny will appreciate that he is going to be second favourite in every game that they play this year. I don’t think they’ll go into any game as favourites this year.”
He doubled down and declared: “They’ve got the worst squad in Super League. Danny McGuire’s challenge is getting belief into a group of players who have been pumped by Bradford and knocked out of the cup.”
After their magnificent effort for more than 80 minutes, Wilkin’s tune (and that of most neutrals) changed with the pundit lauding praise on the Tigers for their performance.
He said: “I thought it was an incredible performance from Castleford and very similar to Leigh last night. They weren’t favoured before the game but they produced a really disciplined and connected performance that tested Hull KR to the very limit.
“I think Castleford haven’t got two points here tonight but what they have got is belief.”
He circled back to his squad criticisms by explaining: “I think with the squad that they’ve got, I don’t know how much influence Danny can have as a coach in terms of their skill and technique but he can give them belief.
“And they’ve given themselves belief here because if they got thumped here it becomes difficult but they’ve got something here in Round One.”
Castleford host St Helens at the Jungle next week with the Tigers having a day’s rest advantage for the game.
‘They’ve got the worst squad in Super League’ 👀
Jon Wilkin on the challenge for Danny McGuire and Castleford this season 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/xWumS3UJcm
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 14, 2025
