Predicting Castleford Tigers’ starting 13 for today’s game at York

Castleford’s new era truly gets underway today as they take on York City Knights in their first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2022 campaign.

With a squad many believe is capable of pushing for the top four under a successful coach like new boss Lee Radford, today is the perfect chance for the Tigers to lay down a marker with a big win against a solid Championship side.

Radford has named his first matchday squad with 26 players included leaving him with plenty of options going into today’s fixture.

So, the question remains, who will Radford name in his starting 13 today? After all today’s starting side will likely shed some light on how Radford intends to set up his team going into next season.

At fullback anyone other than 2021 Lance Todd winner Niall Evalds would be a surprise. Meanwhile, the backline is a place of great depth for the Tigers going into 2022 but with no Jordan Turner in the squad, it makes selecting the outside backs a little easier with Bureta Faraimo and Mahe Fonua likely to feature for the first time whilst another new signing Alex Sutcliffe could feature at centre. However, with Jake Mamo in the squad, it’s likely he’ll line up alongside Derrell Olpherts on the right edge with Sutcliffe potentially used in the pack instead.

The big question is in the halves. Will Jake Trueman start and if so who will join him? I’ve gone for Trueman and O’Brien at six and seven despite the strong way Danny Richardson ended last season.

At hooker with no Paul McShane – the newly named captain – Adam Milner is a possible option due to his history in the role however he’s now more accustomed to the backrow so Cain Robb could be entrusted the starting number nine role today.

Meanwhile, Joe Westerman will likely start at 13 as he returns to the Tigers having made a name for himself at the club over a decade ago.

After all that, here’s the 13 we think Lee Radford will start with today:

Niall Evalds
Derrell Olpherts
Jake Mamo
Mahe Fonua
Bureta Faraimo
Jake Trueman
Gareth O’Brien
George Griffin
Adam Milner
Daniel Smith
Kenny Edwards
Cheyse Blair
Joe Westerman