2018 Super League – Castleford Tigers vs Wigan Warriors Preview
AT A GLANCE
When? Friday 22nd June, 20:00
Where? The Mend-A-Hose Jungle
What channel is it on? Castleford Tigers vs Wigan Warriors will not be televised live
Where can I stream the match? N/A
Are tickets still available? https://tigers.mysportstickets.co.uk/events/home/Wigan_Warriors_61
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Head Coach: Daryl Powell
Squad: Clare, Clark, Cook, Egodo, Ellis, Gill, Green, Hitchcox, Laulu-Togaga’e, Maher, Massey, McShane, Millington, Moors, Shenton, Springer, Trueman, Wardle, Webster
Unavailable: Luke Gale, Gadwin Springer, Ben Roberts, Liam Watts, Greg Eden, Alex Foster, Oliver Holmes, Mike McMeeken, Adam Milner, Greg Minikin, Jesse Sene-Lefao
- Castleford blew a 14-0 lead last week as they allowed Hull KR to come back into the game and snatch a draw. The Tigers couldn’t capitalise on their strong start with them arguably lucky to hang on at the end with Rovers finishing the stronger in a 24-24 draw.
- Daryl Powell has made no less than seven changes to last week’s 19-man squad. Alex Foster, Oliver Holmes, Mike McMeeken, Adam Milner, Greg Minikin, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Calum Turner all make way. Taking their places are James Clare, Jamie Ellis, Paul McShane, Will Maher, Tuoyo Egodo, Gadwin Springer and James Green.
- The raft of changes to the Castleford side will make it a difficult game for the Tigers to win as they look to improve their record of five home wins from eight Super League games.
WIGAN WARRIORS
Head Coach: Shaun Wane
Squad: Clubb, Davies, Escaré, Farrell, Field, Flower, Gildart, Hamlin, Isa, Leuluai, Marshall, Mullen, Navarrete, Paisley, Powell, Sarginson, Tautai, S. Tomkins, Woods
Unavailable: Joe Burgess, Ryan Sutton, Joe Greenwood, Sean O’Loughlin, John Bateman, George Williams
- Wigan scored a late try to secure a crucial win over Hull FC last week. The Warriors were able to claim the two points thanks to Liam Marshall’s try after Sam Tomkins’ drop goal attempt had cannoned back off the crossbar, giving Wigan a 10-14 win.
- Shaun Wane is without a trio of England players with Sean O’Loughlin, John Bateman and George Williams all on international duty although Williams will miss at least a month after suffering a PCL injury against Hull. Liam Farrell is named in the squad and could return from injury whilst Josh Woods and Liam Paisley will battle it out to feature in the halves.
- Wigan’s win last week snapped a three-game losing streak in all competitions whilst it was the Warriors’ fifth away league win of the season from their ninth contest.
THE PREDICTION
Two teams right in the top 4 mix battle it out with both missing key players. Castleford have rested several players due to carrying knocks whilst Wigan have lost three to international duty with the game a very open one that could go either way. Castleford let a 14-0 lead slip last week and will be looking to put that right this week whilst Wigan brought their three-game losing streak to a halt with an important win away at Hull. The Warriors can close the gap on league leaders St Helens to four points with a win here whilst Castleford could open up a five point gap on fifth-placed Hull FC to all but seal an extra home game in the Super 8s. Wigan are missing three influential players but with Castleford making wholesale changes, it could be the Warriors that edge this one.
