Castleford Tigers and Bradford Bulls have named their squads for this Thursday’s meeting at the Onebore Stadium.
A disgraced Ryan Carr said after the club’s hefty defeat to Warrington Wolves that the club’s efforts were “probably the worst performance I’ve ever been associated with as a coach” – something they will need to rectify against their Yorkshire neighbours.
In what is a boost, the club’s shining light of 2026, Krystian Mapapalangi, returns to the fold for this week’s tie. He missed last week’s defeat due to HIA protocols
Two men drop out through injury. Joe Stimson failed an early HIA forcing him to miss the vast majority of the Wolves defeat, whilst Jack Ashworth is also ruled out on concussion protocols.
Louis Senior, Cain Robb, Fletcher Rooney and Alex Mellor are all still sidelined with injury, whilst Liam Hood misses out again this week.
Castleford Tigers 19-man squad:Â Semi Valemei, Zac Cini, Darnell McIntosh, Mikaele Ravalawa, Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver, Renouf Atoni, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Brock Greacen, Joe Westerman, Aiden Doolan, Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, Jimmy Beckett, Ashton Golding, George Hirst.
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For the Bulls, new signing Phoenix Steinwede slots straight into the preliminary side, replacing Tray Lolesio, who returns to Wakefield Trinity after his one-week loan.
Rowan Milnes is also back, as are Brandon Douglas and Waqa Blake who all missed last week through injury.
Loghan Lewis returns from suspension in what is another big boost to the forward pack. He replaces Ronan Michael, who was named in a Bulls Super League 21 for the first time last week.
Bradford Bulls 21-man squad:Â Andy Ackers, Caleb Aekins, Guy Armitage, Chris Atkin, Waqa Blake, Ed Chamberlain, Brandon Douglas, Sam Hallas, Luke Hooley, Loghan Lewis, Esan Marsters, Joe Mellor, Rowan Milnes, Jayden Nikorima, Jack Ormondroyd, Leon Ruan, Ethan Ryan, Phoenix Steinwede, Ryan Sutton, Connor Wynne.
