Super League club forced to draft in player from Championship club

A loss to Leeds Rhinos last weekend saw Hull FC officially knocked out of playoff contention whilst Castleford Tigers were on the end of a hammering at the hands of Warrington Wolves, denting their points difference which could be crucial in their fight for Super League status.

The Tigers had a key win over relegation rivals Wakefield Trinity but since than haven’t won a game under Danny Ward, slipping to two losses with both by big margins.

Their final home game of the season is this week on Friday night against FC and could well be their best chance at securing two more competition points and securing their safety in rugby league’s top flight, but they’ll have to do so without key player Jacob Miller.

Miller fell foul of a ban for a ‘dangerous throw’ against Warrington, an incident that saw him yellow carded and ultimately allowed the Wire to run up the score last weekend in a game that ended 66-12.

Castleford will also be without hooker Liam Horne who is serving the second game of his two match ban that had been sustained during the loss to St Helens.

Horne had been one of the team’s key player’s during his short spell with the side and has been a big miss at hooker, with the Tigers actually recalling Cain Robb from Championship side Swinton Lions ahead of this clash with Hull FC.

Cas will be boosted by the return of Liam Watts who had also been banned during that St Helens loss.

As for Hull FC they also have a key man returning and that’s captain Carlos Tuimavave who copped a two match ban following the side’s golden point loss to Wigan Warriors, but he should be back and available.

He’s a welcome return at centre with Liam Sutcliffe carrying a knock to his ribs, possibly being touch and go, whilst playmaker Jake Clifford also finds himself suspended for this match leaving Tony Smith potentially having to shuffle the deck when it comes to his spine.

The squad news is now in.

There are a total of four alterations to the preliminary line up from the Wire fixture last week. Charbel Tasipale picked up a hamstring strain against Warrington and both George Lawler and Sam Hall will also miss out due to concussion protocol after being forced off with head knocks at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Jacob Miller is the other absentee having received a one-match penalty notice due to being charged with a dangerous throw.

Cain Robb returns to the Cas pack after being recalled from his loan spell at Championship outfit Swinton Lions. Jack Broadbent and Nathan Massey are also in contention having recovered from injury setbacks. Liam Watts is back in the fold after serving a one-match suspension.

Jake Clifford is unavailable as he serves a one-match suspension for a Grade C ‘Other Contrary Behaviour’ charge from the RFL’s Match Review Panel.

Jamie Shaul and teenage forward Cobie Wainhouse also drop out of the 21-man squad this week.

However, Carlos Tuimavave is available once again after serving a two-match suspension.

Darnell McIntosh (hand) and Davy Litten (back) are both back in contention to return for the Black & Whites’ trip to West Yorkshire.

Jake Trueman (Achilles), Ligi Sao (knee), Ben McNamara (hand), and Mitieli Vulikijapani (knee) remain sidelined for Hull.