Castleford Tigers 2022 preview: Lee Radford leads Tigers in to a new era
Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
There’s a sense of a new era around Castleford, not only with a new coach in Lee Radford but the news about exciting developments at their Wheldon Road home.
A successful period under Daryl Powell came to an end in 2021 with his move to Warrington, and Radford is tasked with taking them forward.
They have a strong English spine of Niall Evalds, Jake Trueman, Gareth O’Brien or Danny Richardson, Paul McShane and the returning Joe Westerman.
If they can add some grit around that, then Radford may well fancy another tilt at Challenge Cup success.
The signing of Jake Mamo, who impressed at Warrington last season, is a shrewd one while there will also be eyes on what young players Cas can bring through, having waved off Michael Shenton and Grant Millington at the end of last year.
TROPHIES: Niall Evalds targeting silverware at Castleford
Key man
What they said
Lee Radford makes his return to Super League and has already put his stamp on the Castleford squad.
“Some of the blokes we’ve brought in have already contributed massively, but the core of the group that was there previously is that the club has been built on.
“They seem to have bonded well and hopefully we’ll see that evolve over the next four or five rounds of the competition.
“With the new changes and COVID in the background, the depth of the squad is going to be really important.”
Castleford Tigers 2022 preview: Key info
Coach: Lee Radford (since November 2021).
Captain: Paul McShane.
In: Jake Mamo (Warrington), Joe Westerman (Wakefield), Mahe Fonua, Bureta Faraimo (both Hull), Alex Sutcliffe, Callum McClelland (both Leeds), Kenny Edwards (Huddersfield), George Lawler (Hull KR), Junior Vasuitoga (British Army, on trial).
Out: Oliver Holmes, Peter Mata’utia (both Warrington), Michael Shenton, Grant Millington (both retired), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Featherstone), Alex Foster (Newcastle Thunder), Lewis Bienek (London Broncos), Lewis Peachey (Newcastle Thunder, on season-long loan).
Castleford Tigers 2022 preview: squad in full
1. Niall Evalds, 2. Derrell Olpherts, 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Jake Mamo, 5. Bureta Faraimo, 6. Jake Trueman, 7. Danny Richardson, 8. Liam Watts, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Lawler, 11. Kenny Edwards, 12. Adam Milner, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Nathan Massey, 15. George Griffin, 16. Callum McLelland, 17. Mahe Fonua, 18. Jacques O’Neill, 19. Tyla Hepi, 20. James Clare, 21. Alex Sutcliffe, 22. Daniel Smith, 23. Greg Eden, 24. Cheyse Blair, 25. Suaia Matagi, 27. Lewis Peachey, 28. Brad Martin, 29. Sam Hall, 30. Sosaia Feki, 31. Gareth O’Brien, 32. Cain Robb, 33. Jason Qareqare, 34. Jack Sadler, 35. Nathan Carter, 36. Mackenzie Scurr.
Castleford odds: Grand Final winner 22/1 (6th equal), Regular season winner 20/1 (6th equal)
PLAY: Our free to play Fantasy Rugby League is back for 2022
