Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers kick off rivals round this evening when they go head to head at Belle Vue.
Daryl Powell’s side may have fallen short last week at St Helens but they’ve made a positive start to life back in Super League, with three wins coming from their opening seven league games. However, they’re yet to win on home soil and they’ll be going all out this evening to get that record off their backs against their nearest and dearest rivals.
Castleford have endured a miserable start to the season, winning just one game so far and losing convincingly to Leigh Leopards last time out. Danny McGuire will be desperate to see his side claim two much needed points then and he’ll be hoping the new signings will help them get over the line.
How Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers could line up tonight
Tom Amone won’t feature until next week, but Hugo Salabio and Jordan Dezaria are expected to feature after their respective loan moves from Hull FC and Catalans Dragons.
It’s a fair guess to say they’ll start on the bench, providing the size and strength the Tigers have been missing during pivotal points of fixtures. That means George Lawler and Muizz Mustapha could start in the middle with Liam Horne selected at nine, as he was last week. Jason Qareqare is fit and could get the nod on the flank, while Lee Kershaw might win selection on the other side.
McGuire has bench options but the experience of George Griffin could be important, while Judah Rimbu provides options across the spine.
Powell made just one change to his squad, with Josh Griffin stepping back into the fold and he can expect to start against the Tigers in the back-row. That might be the only change in the pack, with Max Jowitt also named in the squad and pushing to start.
Jowitt hasn’t featured for the Trin since injuring his leg in the cup against Huddersfield Giants but he might finally be ready to come in and reclaim his full-back spot. With no Olly Russell or Jake Trueman, Jay Pitts can expect to play in the halves once more.
Predicted Wakefield Trinity side: Max Jowitt; Lachlan Walmsley, Cameron Scott, Oliver Pratt, Tom Johnstone; Jay Pitts, Mason Lino; Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Caleb Hamlin-Uele; Josh Griffin, Seth Nikotemo; Renouf Atoni
Bench: Ky Rodwell, Caius Faatili, Isaiah Vagana, Harvey Smith.
Predicted Castleford Tigers side: Tex Hoy, Jason Qareqare, Zac Cini, Sam Wood, Lee Kershaw; Daejarn Asi, Rowan Milnes; George Lawler, Liam Horne, Muizz Mustapha; Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman.
Bench: Hugo Salabio, Jordan Dezaria, George Griffin, Judah Rimbu.
