Cas vs Huddersfield: Match Preview

The Tigers haven’t taken to the field since the Challenge Cup Final defeat to Saint Helens two weeks ago and will be looking to get their league campaign back on track with a positive result.

FANS AT THE JUNGLE

With this being the Fords’ first match back at home since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, there are a few alterations to the matchday experience.

The Mend-A-Hose Jungle will now be open for everyone around the ground from 6.15pm and with COVID-19 restrictions now lifted, supporters can move around the ground – but please be aware there is still a red zone around the tunnel area for players, officials and staff which may limit movement briefly once the stadium is opened for the general public.

Also, all food and drink vendors will be open around The Jungle.

RETURN TO LEAGUE ACTION

After the Fords’ memorable Challenge Cup journey came to an end at Wembley, it is time for Daryl Powell’s side to turn their focus to the Super League.

Castleford currently sit in eighth in the table, however, if the Fords were to put a string of positive results together then the play-offs could be a possible target for the end of the season.

With restrictions now being lifted on how many fans are able to attend matches, the Cas pack will attempt to use the passionate Wheldon Road crowd to roar them on to victory.

TIGERS TEAM NEWS

Head Coach Daryl Powell has drafted in Hull Kingston Rovers centre Jimmy Keinhorst on a two-week loan, as well as Featherstone Rovers duo Jake Sweeting and Loui McConnell who both link up with Cas on one-week loans.

The Fords have a number of First Team players unavailable due to Covid-19 and return to play protocols for this fixture, however many of these men are expected to be available for selection for the following game against Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.

THE OPPOSITION

Giants find themselves three places below Castleford in eleventh position in the league and have experienced a stuttering campaign so far.

Ian Watson’s side have won four and lost eleven matches this year but are coming off the back of a moral boosting victory against play-off hopefuls Hull FC in their previous fixture.

A Jermain McGillvary quadruple inspired Huddersfield to a 40-26 victory at The John Smith’s Stadium, with Nathan Peats, Luke Yates, Leroy Cudjoe and young rising star Will Pryce also getting on the scoresheet.

Huddersfield will hope they have turned a corner with that recent win and bring that momentum into Monday night’s fixture against the Tigers.

POWELL’S PREVIEW

Ahead of his side’s meeting with the Giants, Powell spoke to the press and outlined his ambition of making the play-offs at the end of the season.

“We need to play games and most importantly we need to win games. We aren’t in the top 6 at the moment and that is our main focus, so we need to start winning games quickly. There is still plenty of games left and we have got to believe that getting into the top 6 is a realistic target because we are not that far away.”

THE SQUADS

Castleford Tigers: 1. Niall Evalds, 2. Derrell Olpherts, 4. Michael Shenton, 9. Paul McShane, 12. Cheyse Blair, 14. Nathan Massey, 17. Alex Foster, 22. Daniel Smith, 24. Suaia Matagi, 26. Lewis Bienek, 27. Lewis Peachey, 28. Brad Martin, 29. Sam Hall, 30. Brad Graham, 32. Cain Robb, 37. Nathan Magee, 38. Jimmy Keinhorst, 39. Jake Sweeting, 40. Loui McConnell

Huddersfield Giants: 1. Ashton Golding, 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Jake Wardle, 8. Luke Yates, 18. Chris McQueen, 19. James Cunningham, 20. Oliver Wilson, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 23. Oliver Russell, 24. Louis Senior, 25. Owen Trout, 26. Sam Hewitt, 28. Sam Wood, 31. Olly Ashall Bott, 32. Will Pryce, 33. Robson Stevens, 34. Nathaniel Peteru, 35. Nathan Peats, 38. George Roby                              

HOW TO WATCH

Monday night’s match at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle marks the Tigers' first match since the Betfred Challenge Cup Final, plus it will be the first fixture at home for Cas since Covid-19 restrictions were eased.

This therefore means that the match will not be shown on Our League, but you can get your tickets for the fixture at castlefordtigers.com/tickets.