Betfred Super League's Rivals Round pits the Rhinos up against Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Thursday night as Rohan Smith and Craig Lingard go head to head, kick off 8pm.

As matchday approaches, find out more about Craig Lingard's Tigers side here:

Overview

Name: Castleford Tigers

Founded: 1926

Seasons in Super League: 26

Head Coach: Craig Lingard

Club Captain: Paul McShane

Last three season finishes: 2023 = 11th, 2022 = 7th, 2021 = 7th

Best SL finish: First (2017)

Grand Final appearances: One (2017 - Finalists)

Most career appearances: John Joyner (613)

Most career tries: Alan Hardisty (206 - 1958-71)

Most career points: Albert Lunn (1870 - 1951-63)

So far in 2024...

One of the teams with the most changes coming into 2024 was Castleford Tigers as the club brought in new faces and new ideas on and off the field. 

Eleven arrivals defended the blow of 19 players moving on at the end of 2023, plus there were changes among the coaching staff as Craig Lingard stepped up into the head coaching role, having been part of Andy Last and Danny Wards' management team, and Danny McGuire joined him as assistant. The likes of Joe Westerman, Paul McShane and Jacob Miller were retained though, having been some of the club's top performers on the field over the last three years.

Round One proved a tough outing as Liam Marshall's two tries led Wigan to victory at the Jungle, but the Fords showed more fight a week later against Salford as they set up a tense finish in round two. Warrington and Huddersfield restricted the Tigers to only two tries in rounds three and four, and before the Challenge Cup break, Catalans Dragons posted 40 points at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. 

Last weekend saw a break in schedule for the Challenge Cup as the Tigers got their first win of the season in a 28-14 result against Batley. Looking back towards the league season though, a clash against the Rhinos takes Castleford into April; a month in which they face Salford, Wigan and London.

Squad

Ones to Watch

Innes Senior

Signed on loan from Huddersfield for the season, winger Innes Senior has made a quick start to life in Castleford colours. Five games in, he hasn't missed a Super League minute for the Tigers and has crossed for three tries in consecutive games against Warrington and Huddersfield. 

Statistically, he is also the Tigers' leading player in line breaks and total metres made. He is also two tackle breaks behind Sam Wood.

Liam Horne

Leading the tackle count for the Tigers this season is Liam Horne, who impressed during his time under Danny Ward to extend his stay in black and amber.

The 26 year-old has spent most of his career around the Intrust and Hostplus Cup with Norths Devils and Central Queensland, before arriving at the Jungle as one of a number of loan signings brought in to save Castleford's season last year. With five appearances, four as a starter, he returned for 2024 and has one try against the Red Devils in five games this year.

Joe Westerman

Joe Westerman enters his 17th Super League season as one of the most experienced players in the Tigers' pack.

He returned to the club that gave him his Super League bow in 2022 and quickly became one of the side's key names with ball in hand. This season, he has two tries to his name and sits only behind Jacob Miller in carries with 76.

Fixtures

Round Six- Vs Leeds Rhinos (Mend-A-Hose Jungle, KO 8pm)

Round Seven- Vs Salford Red Devils (Mend-A-Hose Jungle, KO 8pm)

Round Eight- Vs Wigan Warriors (DW Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round Nine - Vs London Broncos (Mend-A-Hose Jungle, KO 8pm)

Round Ten - Vs Leigh Leopards (Leigh Sports Village, KO 5.30pm)

Stats Performers

Tries: Innes Senior and Josh Simm (3 tries)

Try Assists: Luke Hooley (3 try assists)

Carries: Jacob Miller (91 carries)

Metres: Innes Senior (732 metres)

Tackles: Liam Horne (182 tackles)

Post Contact Metres: Sam Wood (301 metres)

Tackle Breaks: Sam Wood (20 breaks)

Offloads: Nixon Putt (9 offloads)

Last Super League match

Rivals Round returns!

Be in the away end as the Rhinos take on Castleford in the first game of the Easter period!

Tickets are priced at £25 for adults, £16 for concessions and £16 for juniors before gameday, but be aware the prices increase on the day of the game so book your places now.

There will be no official Leeds Rhinos travel for this game, but more information on parking, tickets and more can be found here.

Tickets can be purchased via the following methods:

Online- tickets.therhinos.co.uk 

Over the phone- 0371 423 1315 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm - Opening Hours) 

In person at Leeds Rhinos Club Shop- Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (Opening Hours) 

Please always check opening hours before travelling Opening Hours