SL Preview: Castleford Tigers v Hull FC

Both Castleford and Hull FC will field new signings in Friday’s clash at the Wish Communications Stadium.

Tigers recent acquisition from Widnes, Ben Davies, will be hoping to plug some gaps in his new side’s leaky defence. It is now 16 games ago that Castleford conceded less than 20 points and something must change if they are to have any slight hopes of finishing in a play-off spot.

The inclusion of 23-year-old Davies means young prop Dan Fleming, who has featured in Castleford’s previous three outings, is excluded. Apart from the change in the forward line Castleford head coach Daryl Powell names the exact same match-day squad that lost 42-24 to Leeds last time out.

The Airlie Birds on the other hand make three changes to their 19-man squad that was beaten away at Catalan two weeks ago.

The inclusion of highly-rated new signing Jacob Miller is a positive for Hull head coach Peter Gentle but he has to do without the influential pairing of captain Gareth Ellis and fellow England international Tom Briscoe due to injury. Australian prop Mark O’Meley does make the squad after recovering from a hamstring problem and he replaces Josh Bowden.

Castleford 19-man squad: Owen, Shenton, Dixon, Chase, Ellis, Walker, Clark, Huby, Hauraki, Millington, Milner, Massey, Holmes, Thompson, Tansey, Clare, Martin, Boyle, Davies.

Hull FC 19-man squad: Arundel, Crookes, Crooks, Galea, Green, Holdsworth, Heremaia, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, Miller, O’Meley, Pitts, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.

Prediction: It won’t be 52-0 this time but Hull to win like they did earlier in the season.

Stats:

Hull FC have won their last four meetings with Castleford, with the Tigers’ last win coming 20-18 at the KC Stadium on 1 April, 2011.

Super League summary:

Hull FC won 18

Castleford won 10

2 draws

Hull FC highest score: 52-18 (A, 2004) (Widest margin: 52-0, H, 2013)

Castleford highest score: 44-16 (H, 1999) (Widest margin: 30-2, A, 1999; 44-16, H, 1999)