How Castleford Tigers could line up in 2026 as nine new signings part of Ryan Carr rebuild

Castleford Tigers will have a new-look squad in 2026, following a mass clear-out of the playing group due to an underwhelming and disappointing Super League season.

Some of the key departures include captain Sam Wood, who has signed for York Knights, and half-back Rowan Milnes, who left go before the season ended to join Hull KR and will turn out for Bradford Bulls in 2026. Jeremiah Simbiken has also left the club, whilst Josh Simm has agreed a deal at Catalans Dragons.

Innes Senior is the latest player to have been released, with the centre exiting the club to join Leigh Leopards.

Director of Rugby Chris Chester has been integral to the exodus, due to him having to take the role as coach following Danny McGuire’s departure. He has worked out the incomings and outgoings with Ryan Carr, the former Featherstone Rovers boss who will take the helm in pre-season and will become the Tigers’ next permanent coach.

Much-needed changes are expected at the Onebore Stadium, with Chester making it clear he wants to see and execute vast improvements next year. With the transfers they’ve made, four of whom are from the NRL, things are certainly on the up for the West Yorkshire club.

Here is how we expect Castleford to line-up in 2026 as they aim to reach a playoff place for the first time since 2019.

Full-back: Blake Taaffe

The Canterbury Bulldogs full-back joins the Tigers on a three-year deal, and is expected to replace Tex Hoy as the Castleford number one. With 44 appearances in the NRL and a further 50 in reserve grade, the 26-year-old will be one of their key attacking threats next year.

As it stands, Hoy is still at the club, but we expect Taaffe to get the nod in the starting line-up.

Wingers: Mikaele Ravalawa and Darnell McIntosh

Fijian international, Ravalawa, will bring both speed and physicality to the Castleford edge, something they had very little of in the season just gone. An out-and-out winger, should the Tigers get plenty of good-ball to him, you would expect him to convert plenty of opportunities.

On the opposite flank will be fellow new signing, Darnell McIntosh, who joins from the Leopards. Chester was the one who brough McIntosh to Leigh, and he has signed him again for Tigers, highlighting the faith he has in the 28-year-old.

Jason Qareqare will be back fit next season, following a long-term injury that has kept him out for the majority of this year He will be a handy back-up should either of the two new additions pick up an injury or fail to find the required form expected by Carr.

Centres: Zac Cini and Semi Valemei

Cini was arguably the best signing that Castleford made last year, and deputised well at full-back when needed. He will continue in his natural position next year, and will have another new face next to him in the three-quarters.

Another Fijian international, Valemei, is expected to take up the spot, especially now that Senior has left the club. The 26-year-old has 46 NRL appearances to his name, and he has crossed for 23 tries in that time.

Halves: Daejarn Asi and Jenson Windley

One of the better players for the Tigers this season, Asi’s chances of posing any type of threat were limited due to the Tigers’ inability to create consistent field position. With a new-look pack on the cards, he will be hoping that will change in 2026.

Since letting Milnes leave in August, the Tigers failed to replace him, and at present, they still haven’t. Youngster Jenson Windley was given the chance to shine in the final games of the season, and whilst he didn’t let anyone down, there is still plenty of development needed before he takes on the role of a starting half-back. The seven position is where the Tigers need to recruit most, but should they choose to keep with what they have, players such as Hoy and Chris Atkin could take the jersey.

Props: Brock Greacen and George Lawler

Former Newcastle Knights prop Greacen was the first signing that the Tigers announced. The 23-year-old joins on a two-year-deal, and will replace Liam Watts, who left the club without making a league appearance in 2025.

Partnering him was another one of Castleford’s better players this year. George Lawler played every position in the pack this year, and was consistently solid both in defence and attack. A move back to his natural position in the front row should see him excel.

Hooker: Liam Hood

New signing Hood will be looking at a starting role at the Tigers next year, after four seasons at Wakefield Trinity. The 33-year-old will be looking at making the number nine shirt his own, and will rotate with Liam Horne and Cain Robb in the position across the season

Second Row: Alex Mellor and Jordan Lane

New Tigers’ captain, Mellor, was their best player last year, and his performances didn’t deserve to have a season pan out so badly. With a new pack around him next year, his workload will reduce, which will make him even more effective in that back row position.

Alongside him will be former Hull FC man, Jordan Lane, who joins the club after eight seasons in the Black and Whites’ first team. Making 163 appearances for FC, Lane brings plenty of experience with him and is a smart addition for Carr’s Castleford.

Loose Forward: Liam Horne

Horne’s position in 2026 will depend on whether the club decide to renew the contract of  Joe Westerman. The Super League veteran is currently out of contract now that the season is over, and it is unconfirmed whether he will be getting a new deal.

Despite no official communication of an exit, and you expect there would be given that Westerman is a Tigers’ favourite, it is believed that the soon-to-be 36-year-old won’t be part of the squad next year, meaning Horne is set for a positional switch from nine to 13.

Should Westerman re-sign however, he will come back into the starting line-up, and Horne will be used from the bench, covering both h0oker and loose forward when he enters the fray.

Bench: Cain Robb, Renouf Atoni, Jack Ashworth, Joe Stimson