McMeeken tipped for big future by Tigers boss Powell

The powerful second-row has been in sensational form of late, having worked his way into the Castleford side following a winter move from London Broncos.

He is set to feature once more against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday having been one of the few players to shine in defeat at Hull FC last weekend, the West Yorkshire club’s first loss in six games.

Basingstoke-born McMeeken switched to centre in that match and showed tremendous handling skills as well as his usual strength.

Powell admitted: “He’s going to be a good player. He looked a strong proposition at London last year and he’s come in here and probably lacked some confidence at the start.

“But now he’s playing with confidence; he’s a big kid who’ll only get bigger, and I thought he was outstanding on Sunday.

“There were only two players who didn’t vote for him as our man of the match.

“He’s a maturing player; he’s 21-years-old but a man-mountain who’s getting better all the time.

“He believes he can challenge people physically and over the last eight games he’s been awesome.

“Since Frankie (Mariano) got injured he’s been immense; he plays 80 minutes, he’s strong, he’s quick and he’s got everything a back-rower needs and more.”

Powell hopes ex-Kiwi centre Jake Webster will be fit after coming off with a head injury at Hull while scrum-half Luke Gale trained yesterday after missing that match due to illness.

“There won’t be too many changes – we’ve lost one game – but there’ll be one or two switches,” he said.