Greg Eden happy to be adaptable in big year for Castleford Tigers

FAMILIAR FACE: Greg Eden dives over for a try against Wakefield in last month's pre-season encounter. Picture: Allan McKenzie.

Eden – who has returned to the club after spells at Huddersfield Giants, Hull KR, Salford and Brisbane Broncos – would prefer to be at full-back, but knows displacing former Man of Steel Zak Hardaker won’t be easy. Ben Roberts is also able to slot in as the last line of defence and Eden insisted he won’t have a problem if he starts on a wing in Friday’s Betfred Super League round one game at home to Leigh Centurions.

“I am happy to play either,” Eden stressed. “I prefer to play full-back, but we’ve got such strong competition at this club, there’s three good players all fighting for that spot. If there’s a couple of injuries one of us will step in there, but until that happens I am happy to play elsewhere. It is not really a bad thing playing on the wing, it’s just not my preferred position, but I am happy doing either-or.”

Eden made two Super League appearances for Tigers in 2011 and said he “can’t wait” to make his Jungle comeback in two days’ time.

“It should be a packed house and a good atmosphere,” he predicted. “With it being the first game everyone will be a bit giddy and wanting to get back down here. I have missed playing here, it is nice to be back and with it being my first game back down at Cas I am pretty excited about it.”

There’s a feeling of anticipation around Castleford and Eden is confident Tigers are ready for a big season. He added: “I think everyone’s pretty confident and we all believe we are better than the team was this time last year. If that comes off and everyone’s thinking correctly it should be an exciting year for us.”

A good start is crucial, but Eden insisted Tigers can’t take promoted Leigh lightly.

Friday’s game will be their first in Super League since 2005. They lost only three times in all competitions last year and Eden warned: “They are going to come out all guns blazing. We are expecting quite a lot from them.

“It depends how they gel as a new team, but we have to keep composed and stick in through the tough battle we know we’re going to get. They are going to want to show everyone what they’re made of and why they’ve been promoted so it should be a good test for us.”