Sky Sports and BBC pundit Jon Wilkin responds to criticism of Castleford Tigers

Castleford Tigers had been struggling a fortnight ago with a Challenge Cup tie against Leeds Rhinos set to test both sides’ mettle.

Both had won just one game heading into that Challenge Cup Sixth Round tie, with Castleford having the worst defence in Super League at that moment.

And, that was something that BBC pundit Jon Wilkin picked up on in his pre-game comments.

Unfortunately, those pre-game comments seemed to attract the ire of Tigers supporters who were unhappy with Wilkin’s criticism.

After those comments were brought up on Super League’s Out Of Your League podcast, the former St Helens champion was quick to explain why he made them.

“It was prior to that game, their defence was bad,” Wilkin said on the Out Of Your League podcast.

“It’s what you call pre-game comments so I was just trying to build a story and Cas defended well in that game.

“Isn’t it nice seeing what everyone thinks about you.”

The guest on the podcast this week was Salford Red Devils’ captain Elijah Taylor who grew up on a farm – just like Wilkin.

Wilkin, of course, had an incredible career with Saints before ending his time in the game as a Toronto Wolfpack player.