What Castleford Tigers’ strongest XIII looks like after latest NRL signing

Castleford Tigers have completed another mid-season signing and we’ve looked at how they could line up for the rest of the season.

Danny McGuire’s side have been quite active in terms of how they’ve shaped their squad with overseas players being released and new additions coming in, notably Tom Amone and their latest signing of Joe Stimson.

Amone is at the Jungle until the end of the season before he makes the move to join Hull KR, however, Queensland Cup forward Stimson has signed an 18-month deal until the end of 2026.

He has over 100 NRL appearances and is capable of playing in both the second-row or at prop, meaning he’ll offer some much-needed size whilst the likes of fellow overseas recruit Jeremiah Simbiken is out injured.

We’ve looked at the best possible side that Castleford Tigers could field for the remainder of the season, based on the players available now or in the very near future following the addition of Joe Stimson.

How Castleford Tigers could line up for the rest of 2025

Full-back: Tex Hoy

Tex Hoy is the asterisk in this side with the full-back having missed the last two games through injury, however, it was confirmed by Danny McGuire to be a short-term injury so the expectation is that Hoy will be back very soon. He’s been one of the club’s standouts in 2025 with four tries in his 13 Super League appearances.

Winger: Josh Simm

With Jason Qareqare out long-term, Simm has proven to be a very solid replacement. He’s scored five tries in his 13 appearances and has averaged 110 metres per game over his last five matches.

Centre: Zac Cini

Recently deployed at full-back, Cini has been one of Castleford’s best in 2025. Signed from the second grade in Australia, the centre has played every Super League game and averages over 100 metres per game, with a whopping 68 tackle busts.

Centre: Sam Wood

Sam Wood hasn’t replicated the form of 2024 but the Cas captain is still all class when he’s on it, as proven by the fact he earned an England call-up last year.

Winger: Innes Senior

The most devastating player in this side, there is simply no replacement for raw pace and Senior has that in heaps. Coupled with his big frame, he’s a very dangerous outlet for Cas and that’s reflected in his average carry of 8.5 metres.

Stand-off: Daejarn Asi

Signed from Parramatta, Asi is getting more into the grind of Super League and starting to strike up a partnership with Rowan Milnes. He’s another to be an ever-present for the Tigers.

Scrum-half: Rowan Milnes

Milnes has five assists and two tries so far in his eleven appearances, with another 23 goals added to his tally.

Prop: Tom Amone

Amone has had a huge impact on the rest of the Castleford pack with the former Leigh man impressing in the few games he has played. He’s averaging almost 30 tackles and 10o metres a game in a side who are rarely on top. Also impressive is just four missed tackles.

Hooker: Liam Horne

Liam Horne has been in and out of the side but with the release of Judah Rimbu, he’s asserted himself as a first choice nine and is looking to replicate the form that saw him earn the accolades hid did at last year’s end of season awards.

Prop: George Lawler

Another of the ever-presents for Castleford Tigers, Lawler is no-nonsense and a pure grafter. His tally of 526 tackles ranks fifth in Super League, highlighting just how important he is.

Second-row: Alex Mellor

Mellor is one of the most underrated second-rowers in Super League and has played in all bar one game this year. One of Danny McGuire’s leadership group, he’s another who is incredibly dependable.

Second-row: Joe Stimson

The new recruit. Stimson is a big body who is has a total of 115 NRL appearances and has played 11 times for Brisbane in the Queensland Cup this year.

Loose forward: Joe Westerman

Westerman can play anywhere in the pack but at loose forward, he’s a nice addition to the spine and that ball-playing ability is key in helping out Asi and Milnes.

Bench: Chris Atkin, George Griffin, Brad Singleton, Muizz Mustapha

Chris Atkin is a brilliant utility on the bench, capable of playing anywhere in the spine whilst the other three are big bodies who will bring impact and collisions to help grind down opponents.

Castleford Tigers are delighted to announce the signing of Australian NRL star Joe Stimson on a deal until the end of the 2026 season.
The 29-year-old from Temora, New South Wales, brings a wealth of experience to The Jungle, having made 115 NRL appearances during his career with… pic.twitter.com/bSquRi17C9

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) June 23, 2025