Castleford Tigers coach on forward pack problems and helping out Warrington Wolves ahead of their clash

Castleford Tigers coach Danny McGuire says helping Warrington Wolves’ preparation for Wembley was the right thing to do, even if it disadvantages his own team.

The Tigers are Warrington’s last opponents before next Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Hull KR.

The Super League fixture at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, originally scheduled for Sunday, was brought forward two days after Warrington’s semi-final win against Catalans Dragons.

The change means a shorter turnaround for the Tigers from their home derby with Leeds Rhinos last weekend, but McGuire, a former Hull KR player and assistant coach, insisted he has no complaints.

McGuire said: “If I was in Warrington’s situation and in a year or two’s time we are playing in big games, which we hope to be doing, I’d like to think a club we are playing would be adaptable and understand the reasoning.

“I was cool with it. I feel like playing on Sunday would have been better for us; they probably would have rested some of their key players, but I didn’t think that was the right thing to do.

“They deserve the week’s preparation. It is such a big occasion, they have earned the right to get there, and I’d like to think we’ve been good there.”

McGuire accepted: “It made our turnaround a little bit shorter, from Saturday to Friday, so it kind of disadvantaged us a bit, but I think doing good things will help you further down the line.

“Ultimately, we were going to have to play them at some point in the weekend. The Friday night works for us, we’re not too fussed about where and when, we’ve just got to go there and do the job.”

Castleford Tigers face forward pack issues with two ruled out of Warrington clash

Tigers will be without two of the side on duty in the 29-6 loss to Rhinos, including one who could be facing a lengthy spell on the casualty list.

Muizz Mustapha and fellow front-rower Tom Amone were both ruled out after they “came off second-best” in accidental collisions with Rhinos’ rampaging substitute Sam Lisone.

Amone is going through the mandatory concussion protocol after failing his head assessment during last week’s game.

He has also been carrying a groin injury, but McGuire said: “I don’t think it is anything major, it settled down pretty quickly.

“He seems okay, he has said he’s fine. He was pretty good after the game, he didn’t have any issues regarding the concussion.

“It was a decent collision, but I am hoping he will be fine for the game after the (Challenge Cup final) break.”

Mustapha passed his head injury assessment on the day, but what was at first thought to be a bad black eye has proved more serious.

The Castleford Tigers coach confirmed: “There’s actually a small fracture in his cheekbone. We are waiting for further news on that, how long it will keep him out, whether it will be an extended period, or he is going to be able to protect it and carry on playing.

“He is tough, he will put his hand up when he’s available, so we are just waiting for a bit more information from the specialist.

“Sam Lisone took two of our forwards out, he was really strong. Again, Muizz threw himself in front and came off second-best, but hopefully it won’t be too long.”

George Griffin is available following injury, fellow forward George Hill has been drafted into the Tigers’ 21-man squad after being recalled from a loan spell at Salford Red Devils, and on-loan Warrington prop Dan Okoro is eligible to play.

“Dan probably didn’t have his best 20 minutes the other day, and he’s keen to put that right against his parent club,” McGuire added.

“We are a little bit light in the middles and back-row; it is something we are looking to strengthen, but it’s up to the lads (who play this week) to show me what they are about.”

21-Man Squad 💪

Our 21 man squad is locked in for Friday’s clash 🔥

🕗 Kick-off: 8PM
📍 Halliwell Jones Stadium

Let’s go! 💪#COYF 🐯 pic.twitter.com/OEPtBgXfX6

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) May 28, 2025