Castleford Tigers

Castleford Tigers v Huddersfield Giants team news as Liam Horne replacement confirmed

by
Sam Cook
July 3, 2025

Castleford Tigers host Huddersfield Giants at Wheldon Road in a battle between two of Super League’s bottom three sides.

Only Salford Red Devils sit below Castleford and Huddersfield with Paul Rowley’s side one of just two teams that the Giants have beaten, whilst also being the only side that Salford have beaten.

Despite neither team threatening the play-offs in 2025, both have been very competitive at times with their recent meetings against Wigan Warriors prime examples of that. Huddersfield lost in the dying seconds whereas Castleford also lost late on.

That loss for Castleford came just last week and saw hooker Liam Horne handed a controversial six-game ban meaning he’s ineligible for this match, despite the fact the Tigers have confirmed they will challenge it.

He’s a key man who will be missing for the home side whilst the visitors have had key men missing all season in an injury-ravaged campaign.

Castleford Tigers team news

It was confirmed that full-back Tex Hoy had suffered a setback and that’s seen Zac Cini continue in the role with Fletcher Rooney not quite ready to return.

Interestingly, Rowan Milnes is named on the bench after being dropped last week. Chris Atkin resumes with Daejarn Asi in the halves but Milnes features on the bench, likely for if and when Atkin shifts to hooker when youngster George Hill is subbed off.

Recent recruit Joe Stimson starts from the bench once again along with George Griffin and Sam Hall.

Castleford Tigers XIII: Zac Cini; Josh Simm, Louis Senior, Sam Wood, Innes Senior; Daejarn Asi, Chris Atkin; Brad Singleton, George Hill, Tom Amone; George Lawler, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman

Interchanges: Rowan Milnes, George Griffin, Sam Hall, Joe Stimson

SQUAD NEWS 👊

Our starting line-up is locked in 🔒#COYF 🐯 pic.twitter.com/Yupsx5k1mk

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) July 3, 2025

Huddersfield Giants team news

Oliver Wilson and Adam Swift both returned to the 21-man squad and they have both been named to the matchday squad in a massive boost for the Giants.

Wilson starts at prop along with NRL recruit Tristan Powell with Tom Burgess and George King ready to be used from the bench along with utility pair Ashton Golding and Kieran Rush.

George Flanagan resumes at full-back with Matt Frawley once again partnering Tui Lolohea in the halves, whilst Zac Woolford completes the spine.

Huddersfield Giants XIII: George Flanagan; Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Sam Halsall, Adam Swift; Tui Lolohea, Matt Frawley; Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford, Tristan Powell; Harry Rushton, Joe Greenwood, Leroy Cudjoe

Interchanges: Ashton Golding, George King, Tom Burgess, Kieran Rush