2018 Super League – Castleford Tigers vs Warrington Wolves Preview
AT A GLANCE
When? Friday 17th August, 19:45
Where? The Mend-A-Hose Jungle
What channel is it on? Sky Sports Action
Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Are tickets still available? https://tigers.mysportstickets.co.uk/
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Head Coach: Daryl Powell
Squad: Clare, Clark, Eden, Ellis, Gill, Holmes, Maher, Massey, Mata’utia, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Moors, Shenton, Trueman, Turner, Wardle, Watts, Webster
Unavailable: Luke Gale, Ben Roberts, Alex Foster, Greg Minikin, Matt Cook, Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e, Adam Milner, Jesse Sene-Lefao
- Castleford were made to pay for a poor first half against Wigan last week. Despite a second half fightback that saw the Tigers end the game within two points of the Warriors, Castleford’s 20 point deficit proved too much to overturn as they went down 24-22.
- Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e, Adam Milner and Jesse Sene-Lefao are all unavailable through injury. They are replaced by Grant Millington and Peter Mata’utia who have recovered from injuries of their own whilst Calum Turner also receives a call-up.
- The defeat to Wigan last week saw Castleford surrender their spot in second place and a further defeat here would leave the Tigers in fourth place
WARRINGTON WOLVES
Head Coach: Steve Price
Squad: Akauola, K. Brown, M. Brown, Clark, Cooper, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, G. King, T. King, Lineham, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Pomeroy, Ratchford, Roberts, Smith, Thompson
Unavailable: Ben Currie, Ryan Atkins, Ben Westwood, Harvey Livett, Josh Charnley
- Warrington hammered an under-strength Catalans side last week with the French side resting a plethora of players after their Challenge Cup exploits. The Wolves ran in 10 tries as they brushed the inexperienced team aside in a 56-6 triumph.
- Steve Price has recalled the trio of players he rested last week with Stefan Ratchford, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Mike Cooper all returning to the squad. They come in for Josh Charnley, Harvey Livett and Ben Westwood.
- Warrington know they will be in for a much tougher game this week but they have won six of their last eight away matches in Super League.
THE PREDICTION
Castleford host Warrington in an important top 4 clash. With Wigan currently occupying second place - a spot that will come with a home semi-final at the end of the season - one of these two could be out of the picture with a loss in this game coupled with a Wigan win at Catalans on Saturday. With a Challenge Cup final just around the corner, Warrington could be forgiven for having one eye on that game but if they want a home semi-final in Super League, a loss here could be catastrophic. With some big players back and Castleford missing some themselves, Warrington can head to Wembley with a confidence-boosting win.
