Ryan Carr recalls Headingley memories as Castleford Tigers boss set for Leeds Rhinos return

Castleford Tigers boss Ryan Carr will be returning to familiar territory later this week, as his side face Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.

Carr, who was head coach of Featherstone Rovers in 2019, combined that role with an assistant job at Headingley, where he worked and learned with the Rhinos bosses and players at that time.

Richard Agar was the man in charge of the Blue and Amber side back then, and only a handful of players in the current squad were there at that time.

Ash Handley, Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Cameron Smith, Harry Newman and Tom Holroyd remain at the club, with Newman and Smith both appearing under Carr for Featherstone on loan.

This weekend will be the first time the Castleford boss returns to Headingley since that coaching gig, and it’s fair to say Leeds have made improvements, both on and off the field.

Recalling his time at the Rhinos, Carr was asked in a press conference earlier this week what he remembers from his time at the Super League heavyweights, and he revealed he will be looking forward to catching up with some familiar faces, but only after the game is complete.

He said: “Yes, it would be actually [his first time back]. It’ll be a few familiar faces. They’re a good club, there’s a lot of good people there, so I’ve got a lot of respect for them, but ultimately they’re our competition this week, so I’ll make sure we get the job done.”

“It’s always good there [at Headingley]. It’s always a good atmosphere and I’m just hopeful that we can take as many Cas fans as we can down to our end of the field and make some noise and get behind the boys because the boys appreciate it and obviously respond to that support. Hopefully we can see a heap of Cas people there at our game.”

The Leeds-Castleford rivalry is one rich in history, and the importance of winning the game means just as much to both sets of fans. Carr has experienced a derby game between the pair before, so knows all about what is needed to take the bragging rights.

He said: “I understand the enormity of the rivalry there, but in saying that, and I‘ve said it many times, but every game we play is a hard game in this competition, and every team is out to beat you.

“[We] just want to make sure that you can play well every week and get some consistency.

“I know it’s a big game in terms of the rivalry, but for me it’s just another opportunity for us to go there and try and play well and put two back-to-back performances together.”

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One reunion that Carr will get to have this weekend is one with former NRL player, Jack Bird.

The pair worked together at St George Illawarra Dragons in 2023, and will now see each other again when the Tigers arrive at Headingley.

Bird is yet to play for his new club, and boss Brad Arthur said earlier this week that it’s unlikely he will feature against Castleford, but regardless, Carr knows what a good player the Australian utility can be when he gets his chance.

“Birdy’s a good player. He has been for a long time,” said Carr. “He’s had a great career. He’s hard to handle with the ball.

“He’s got a lot of power and strength… [but] like I said, they’re a team full of really good players. So we have to be good defensively all across the park this week, that’s for sure.”