Castleford Tigers are releasing their 2026 squad numbers in small instalments, however their latest reveal has dropped two major clues, in terms of both recruitment and squad selection.
Ryan Carr will be hoping that his first season in the top flight will change the fortunes of the West Yorkshire club, with recent seasons being mainly filled with poor performances and underwhelming results.
Making key improvements to the team by bringing in the likes of Blake Taaffe, Tom Weaver and Brock Greacen, all of whom played NRL this year, everyone involved with Castleford are hoping they can finally begin to go on an upward trajectory, following their failure to reach the playoffs in the last six seasons.
Recruitment has been key this off-season, and if the squad numbers are anything to go by, the club aren’t done yet.
Castleford have left the number 23 jersey vacant, which implies that club want to make at least one more signing before the season begins.
Following the release of Tex Hoy in November, the Tigers currently have one overseas quota spot available to them. The club have already recruited six quota players this off-season, with five of them coming directly from Australia.
Looking at their squad, their weakness could lie at loose forward. Liam Horne was due to be part of the squad next year before he signed for Leigh Leopards.
Joe Westerman looks set to go round for another year, despite not being officially confirmed by the club, however he has just turned 36, and whilst their is no doubting he still has the ability to perform at the highest level, the club need to be looking at a long-term option to replace him.
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Castleford Tigers drop selection hint as winger drops down squad number order
Another clue that Castleford’s squad numbers have given us is who Carr has chosen to be his first-choice wingers.
Jason Qareqare was given the number two shirt this year, however a lengthy hamstring injury he suffered in April ruled him out for the entire campaign.
The Fijian international only managed to make one senior appearance in 2025, as he scored two tries in defeat to Wakefield Trinity.
He will wear the number 22 jersey next year, and whilst he will certainly still be in the club’s plans, he looked to have dropped down the pecking order, with the club eyeing two of their new signings to be the starting wingers.
Mikaele Ravalawa joins the Tigers from St George Illawarra Dragons, where he worked under Carr, and has made 101 appearances in the NRL. He spent 2025 on loan at South Sydney Rabbitohs, but only managed to make three appearances due to injury.
On the opposite flank, Darnell McIntosh has reunited with Chester, after the pair worked together at the Leigh Leopards. The former Huddersfield man also suffered injury this year, and never failed to make his way back into the first team once fully fit, with Adrian Lam opting to choose Keanan Brand instead.
The club also have Louis Senior in the ranks, and he can cover both the centre and wing spots. There is plenty of quality competition in the Tigers’ three-quarters, something they have been lacking in recent years.
