Super League side name squad after illness scare as star man returns for rivals

Castleford Tigers and Hull FC have been closely tied in recent years.

After leading Hull FC to back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017 and an overall successful period for the club battling with the Tigers in 2017, Lee Radford’s next job was taking charge at the Tigers.

He brought in Andy Last to be his assistant at the Jungle after Last has guided Hull to the 2020 Super League semi-finals as interim boss following Radford’s departure.

Last again took over from Radford this time at Castleford and is now the club’s official head coach.

This weekend he will battle against some familiar faces in the Challenge Cup this weekend.

The Tigers have only won two games this season and are taking on a side who have won the last three games in the shape of Tony Smith’s Hull.

Smith knows the road to the Challenge Cup Final brilliantly leading teams to the decider five times and lifting the trophy three times.

Interestingly, his two cup final defeats – in 2005 with Leeds Rhinos and 2016 with Warrington Wolves – came against Hull.

The team news is now in. After concerns over the Cas squad due to illness in the squad, Last has been able to name a relatively strong squad.

First Team regulars Niall Evalds and Jacob Miller will miss Sunday’s fixture through injury and concussion protocol respectively, along with Bureta Faraimo and Liam Watts having to sit out through suspension.

It’s a welcome return to the pack for second-row/centre Alex Sutcliffe who comes back into the fold. George Hill is selected in the 21-man line-up for the first time, a proud moment for the Castleford Academy graduate.

Cas back Mahe Fonua is back in contention along with youngsters Jacob Hookem and Will Tate who are also restored to the squad.

🏆 #ChallengeCup squad selected

Squad details ⤵️@GeoShieldUK • #COYF

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) May 19, 2023

As for Hull, Smith has made two changes to the side that was named ahead of last week’s win over Wakefield at the Be Well Support Stadium.

Hull are boosted by the return of Tex Hoy who has been out of action since early April with a hamstring injury, while young forward Nick Staveley also comes into the squad having impressed on dual-registration with Newcastle in recent weeks.

The pair replace the suspended Scott Taylor, who received a one-match penalty notice for ‘dangerous contact’ in the match against Trinity, and Davy Litten, who is expected to miss the next three weeks of action having picked up an ankle sprain during the match.

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