Lee Radford makes huge Joe Westerman decision ahead of Wigan Warriors’ visit

Castleford Tigers have kicked off the season with two losses in two but it’s not just been the on-field performances that have attracted attention.

A week prior to the opening games the story of Joe Westerman’s off-field antics broke which led to him being fined heavily and disciplined by the club.

That didn’t stop Lee Radford from naming the loose forward in his round one squad with Westerman featuring against his former club Hull FC, however he didn’t appear in the fixture against St Helens last weekend.

That had left speculation as to whether Westerman would return any time soon but Radford has quashed any further speculation by naming the forward in his 21-man squad for Friday’s clash against Wigan Warriors.

It is worth noting that Westerman was named in the 21-man squad last week, before then missing the cut for the matchday 18.

The Tigers are aiming for a first win following 32-30 and 24-6 losses to Hull FC and St Helens respectively, but welcoming a Wigan side that has just put 60 points on Wakefield will be a tough task.

To do so Radford has made three changes to his round two squad with Alex Sutcliffe, Suaia Matagi and Daniel Smith all return to the squad.

Skipper Paul McShane is set to make his 200th appearance as well.

The three players that miss out from the round two 21-man squad are Jack Broadbent, Jake Mamo and Cain Robb.

The squad in full is below.

1. Niall Evalds

2. Greg Eden

3. Jordan Turner

4. Mahe Fonua

5. Bureta Faraimo

6. Gareth Widdop

7. Jacob Miller

8. George Lawler

12. Alex Mellor

13. Joe Westerman

14. Nathan Massey

15. Alex Sutcliffe

16. Adam Milner

19. Albert Vete

20. Muizz Mustapha

22. Daniel Smith

23. Suaia Matagi

32. Liam Watts