Danny McGuire RFL investigation confirmed as Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants team news locked in

Castleford Tigers take on Huddersfield Giants at the Jungle on Thursday night and the team news has been confirmed, as well as the fact that head coach Danny McGuire is under investigation from the RFL.

McGuire wasn’t happy with the officiating in his side’s loss against Wigan Warriors, particularly the decision not to penalise Harry Smith for pulling back Josh Simm. As Wigan Warriors launched their Captain’s Challenge, the extent of Smith’s pull on Simm was clear for all to see bar video referee Aaron Moore who dismissed it and ruled in Wigan’s favour.

From the resulting set, the Warriors scored and speaking post-match on Saturday night, McGuire was not impressed with the call.

“Everyone in the ground can see it’s a penalty,” McGuire told Sky Sports when asked about the call. “I can’t see why they can’t see it’s a penalty.

“Everyone can see Josh Simm gets pulled back, what are they looking for? I don’t know what they’re looking for.

“I don’t get it. I don’t get the officiating. I don’t get the captain’s challenge. I don’t get some of the things that happen in the game. It’s bewildering. The standard of officiating is getting worse.”

Those comments, as well as some he made during his post-match presser, have drawn an RFL investigation despite the fact that head of referees Phil Bentham has conceded the call was a a”clear error”.

Whilst McGuire will have to speak with the RFL and explain his comments, he’s also got the matter of Thursday’s game against Huddersfield to contend with and he and rival head coach Luke Robinson have both named their 21-man squads.

Castleford Tigers team news

Danny McGuire has named an unchanged 21-man squad which notably includes Liam Horne, despite the fact the hooker is facing a disciplinary tribunal tonight.

Horne faces a Grade E charge for making contact with a player who could be injured, after dragging Kaide Ellis up by his collar in the dying seconds of the game. The club will clearly contest the charge and try to prove Horne’s innocence given they have named him to their squad.

Fletcher Rooney is named once again and should be closer to returning, although McGuire has previously conceded that the youngster may need time in the reserves before returning to Super League.

Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: Zac Cini, Sam Wood, Innes Senior, Daejarn Asi, Rowan Milnes, Liam Horne, George Lawler, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman, George Griffin, Sam Hall, Louis Senior, Fletcher Rooney, Josh Simm, Will Tate, George Hill, Dan Okoro, Brad Singleton, Tom Amone, Chris Atkin, Joe Stimson

SQUAD NEWS 😤

Our 21-MAN squad has been named ahead of Thursdays clash against The Giants 💪

🎟️ Tickets – https://t.co/3AEvKqhZeP#COYF 🐯 pic.twitter.com/CRjj54vGT2

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) July 1, 2025

Huddersfield Giants team news

The Giants are boosted by the return of Adam Swift and Oliver Wilson, two of their star players with the winger and prop making timely returns from injury.

Aidan McGowan and Connor Carr are the two men to drop out whilst Sam Hewitt is still missing having failed a HIA against Warrington Wolves the round prior.

Leeds Rhinos’ loanee Matt Frawley is named once again with the Australian expected to partner Tui Lolohea in the halves again.

Huddersfield Giants 21-man squad: Jacob Gagai, Adam Swift, Jake Bibby, Sam Halsall, Tui Lolohea, Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford, Thomas Burgess, Harry Rushton, Ashton Golding, Matty English, George King, Joe Greenwood, Fenton Rogers, Leroy Cudjoe, Tristan Powell, Taane Milne, Kieran Rush, George Flanagan, Jack Bibby, Matt Frawley

21-Man Squad locked in for Castleford 🔐

Read 👉 https://t.co/fWgkBfyBNR#Since1895 pic.twitter.com/kCIHRbrXwr

— Huddersfield Giants 🐮🔔 (@Giantsrl) July 1, 2025