Castleford Tigers

Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers team news as visitors sign another forward

by
Sam Cook
April 15, 2025

Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire

Wakefield Trinity host Castleford Tigers in the first match of Super League’s Rivals Rounds, with both head coaches making key changes.

It will mark the first time that the two West Yorkshire sides have played against each since the 2023 season as 2024 went without a derby on account of Wakefield Trinity being in the Championship.

That last derby saw Castleford win 28-12 with the defeat for Wakefield helping to condemn them to relegation, however, it’s certainly helped make them stronger with Trinity using their year in the second tier to rebuild.

Much of that came on account of a new owner and whilst Castleford have also seen a new owner arrive and major off-field changes take place, they’re yet to find the success with the Tigers winning just once in 2025.

That win came against struggling Salford Red Devils and the club have lost three straight since then. Wakefield have lost their last two in the league and both sides will be eager to get one over their local rivals, and we now know which players will be in contention.

Wakefield Trinity team news

Daryl Powell has made just one change to the 21-man squad he named ahead of the game against St Helens, however, it marks the return of a key player.

Josh Griffin is back after his hamstring injury with young Jayden Myers making way for the veteran second-rower, who will add plenty of punch as he goes up against his brother George.

Max Jowitt is named once again and it’s hoped he will be fit with the full-back likely to move into the halves on account of injuries to Jake Trueman and Oliver Russell. Loose forward Jay Pitts was forced to play in the halves last week but could return to his regular position.

Wakefield Trinity 21-man squad: 1. Max Jowitt, 2. Lachlan Walmsley, 3. Cameron Scott, 4. Corey Hall, 5. Tom Johnstone, 8. Mike McMeeken, 9. Liam Hood, 10. Ky Rodwell, 11. Seth Nikotemo, 12. Josh Griffin, 13. Jay Pitts, 15. Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 16. Renouf Atoni, 18. Isaiah Vagana, 19. Oliver Pratt, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Mathieu Cozza, 23. Josh Rourke, 25. Jack Croft, 28. Harvey Smith, 31. Caius Faatili

💪🏻 Josh Griffin returns to the Trinity 21-man squad for Rivals Round!!

👉🏻 https://t.co/bawlUiO7kt #UpTheTrin pic.twitter.com/J9OEi983L3

— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) April 15, 2025

Castleford Tigers team news

The most obvious change to Danny McGuire’s squad is the addition of two new loan signings with Catalans’ Jordan Dezaria confirmed earlier in the day on a month-long loan, and Hull FC man Hugo Salabio now added on a season-long loan.

That marks two big bodies added to their forward pack in the absence of men such as Brad Singleton. The two players to drop out of the squad and make way for the loanees are Josh Hodson and Jenson Windley.

Zac Cini, who had been named as one of those injured against Leigh, is named with the Australian centre one to watch on Thursday night.

Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: 1. Tex Hoy, 2. Jason Qareqare, 3. Zac Cini, 4. Sam Wood, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Rowan Milnes, 9. Liam Horne, 10. George Lawler, 11. Jeremiah Simbiken, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Judah Rimbu, 15. George Griffin, 16. Cain Robb, 20. Muizz Mustapha, 21. Sylvester Namo, 24. Josh Simm, 35. Dan Okoro, 37. Lee Kershaw, 39. Hugo Salabio, 40. Jordan Dezaria