Castleford Tigers travelled to face Salford Red Devils with the visitors playing their first game since the sacking of Danny McGuire.
The Round 17 loss against Huddersfield Giants proved to be the last game that McGuire took charge of with Castleford sacking him days after that defeat, leaving Tigers’ Director of Rugby Chris Chester in interim charge.
His first coaching task will be to beat the struggling Salford Red Devils who sit at the foot of Super League after a season disrupted by off-field issues on account of their ailing finances.
That’s seen Salford rely heavily on the loan market and yet another loanee makes their debut today with Oliver Russell arriving from Wakefield Trinity, following Hull KR’s recall of Danny Richardson.
Both coaches have now confirmed their matchday squads with Salford Red Devils looking for just their second win of the season when they host the head coach-less Castleford Tigers at 3:00 pm today.
Salford Red Devils team news
Salford have made five changes after their defeat against Warrington with Oliver Russell among those to join the squad. Long-term absentee Loghan Lewis also makes his first appearance of the season, named on the bench.
Joe Mellor returns in a major boost with the veteran set to play hooker after Cain Robb was recalled by Castleford Tigers. Others who drop out Justin Sangare, Charlie Glover and Tiaki Chan.
Declan Murphy is set for a debut from the bench whilst Tom Whitehead returns after being unable to face his parent club last week.
Salford Red Devils XIII: Ryan Brierley; Ethan Ryan, Chris Hankinson, Esan MArsters, Nathan Connell; Jayden Nikorima, Oliver Russell; Jack Ormondroyd, Joe Mellor, Chris Hill; Dan Russell, Tom Whitehead, Joe Shorrocks
Interchanges: Harvey Wilson, Loghan Lewis, Toby Warren, Declan Murphy
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 Salford Red Devils for Round 18! 👹
🔗: https://t.co/sXvSgr068b pic.twitter.com/KxABpfiF9s
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) July 13, 2025
Castleford Tigers team news
The first Chris Chester squad looks very different to the last Danny McGuire one, partly through injuries and partly through selection.
With Innes Senior out, Sam Wood shifts to the win with Louis Senior and Zac Cini in the centres. Cini has been able to move from full-back due to the return of Fletcher Rooney who missed four months with a quadriceps injury.
Cain Robb is recalled and starts immediately given Liam Horne’s ban whilst Jeremiah Simbiken returns in the second-row, partnering Alex Mellor.
Castleford Tigers XIII: Fletcher Rooney; Josh Simm, Louis Senior, Zac Cini, Sam Wood; Daejarn Asi, Chris Atkin; Joe Stimson, Cain Robb, Tom Amone; Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman
Interchanges: George Lawler, George Griffin, Sam Hall, Brad Singleton
Here is how we line up to take on The Devils 👊#COYF 🐯 pic.twitter.com/tRpzhXlo7X
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) July 13, 2025
