Castleford Tigers fans will be hoping for huge improvements for 2025 after another disappointing campaign.
They look set to finish tenth in the league since defeat to Huddersfield Giants, despite a brief purple patch mid-season.
One of the side’s stand-out performers in the early parts of 2024 was centre Sam Wood.
His form earned him a call-up to the England squad earlier this year – where he was injured, then missing huge amounts of rugby.
Charbel Tasipale and Jack Broadbent have also departed this year – and would both otherwise have been centre options.
Alex Mellor, usually a second-rower, has filled in at centre recently, with great effect, but the Tigers will no-doubt want him back in his usual position.
Craig Lingard’s side could really have done with a centre for the remainder of the Super League season – but Zac Cini, signed from Parramatta Eels, will likely fill that role next year.
What Castleford Tigers need ahead of 2025
Credit: Imago Images
With Jacob Miller largely disappointing this year, it would be a huge surprise if the Tigers aren’t looking for another half-back for next year.
Jenson Windley has impressed in his first few senior appearances, and could be an option for next year, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be trusted with a proper starting role for a whole season so early in his career.
Alex Mellor and Elie El-Zakhem seem a good enough second-row pairing, but a prop – especially with Liam Watts and Sylvester Namo’s disciplinary records – would certainly be another player that Craig Lingard and his recruitment team would like to look at.
Mellor’s ability in the centres has been utilised over some of the period in which Sam Wood has been out, but it’ll be a welcome return to his more natural position.
However, now that Corey Hall is also leaving – heading to Wakefield Trinity – it could be useful to have another player capable of playing in the centres in case Sam Wood is still struggling for fitness when the season begins.
Although Paul McShane is retiring at the end of the year, Castleford have both of Cain Robb and Liam Horne available and tied down to contracts, so a number nine shouldn’t be necessary.
