Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers - everything you need to know ahead of big Super League derby

Castleford Tigers will be keen to throw a spanner into Leeds Rhinos' Wembley works on Thursday.
Luke Gale's drop goal took Tigers to Old Trafford in 2017. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Luke Gale's drop goal took Tigers to Old Trafford in 2017. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Luke Gale's drop goal took Tigers to Old Trafford in 2017. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Castleford Tigers will be keen to throw a spanner into Leeds Rhinos' Wembley works on Thursday.

Rhinos are fresh from a Coral Challenge Cup semi-final win over Wigan Warriors and preparing for a final date with Salford Red Devils on October 17.

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Tigers have struggled since Betfred Super League resumed in August, but will see the trip to their fierce rivals as an ideal opportunity to get back on course.

Here's everything you need to know to set the scene for the big match.

Rhinos' opponents: Castleford Tigers.

At: Emerald Headingley.

On: Thursday, October 8.

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Coverage: Sky Sports .

Tickets: No admission for fans - the game will be played behind closed doors.

Tigers coach: Now the longest-serving coach in Super League, former Leeds player and team boss Daryl Powell, 55, took charge of Tigers seven years ago after a successful spell at Featherstone Rovers. He starred for Sheffield Eagles, Keighley Cougars - where he was player coach - and Great Britain before ending his playing days with Rhinos.

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Tigers form: Castleford are eighth in Super League, having gone into the coronavirus shutdown in second place. They won only once in eight games since the sport restarted. Tigers suffered a heart-breaking late defeat to Hull last Thursday and have been hit by a series of injuries, most notably to half-backs Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson.

Tigers star man: Signed on loan from Toronto Wolfpack, Gareth O’Brien has been a shining light for Cas during their recent poor run. Signed as a full-back he has been playing in the halves and his ability to break the line and score or set up tries is a crucial part of Tigers’ attacking armoury.

Key battle: Paul McShane and Luke Gale did some training together in the closing stages of the coronavirus lockdown and are good friends off the field, as well as former Tigers teammates. Both will want to get one up on the other and they could be in direct competition if McShane continues to fill in at half-back for Cas.

Previous meeting: July 5, 2019. Betfred Super League round 21. Castleford Tigers 10 (Tries Clare 2. Goals Rankin), Leeds Rhinos 18 (Tries Merrin, Walker, Lui. Goals L Sutcliffe 3). Referee: Ben Thaler. Attendance: 8,147.

Last five results: Rhinos WWWLW. Tigers WLLLL

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Super League head-to-head: Rhinos have won 32, Tigers won 23 and there have been three draws. Leeds’ highest score and widest margin was 76-12 at home in 2009. Castleford’s highest score and widest margin was 66-10 at home in 2017.

Team news: Leeds’ Alex Mellor picked up an injury last weekend and makes way for Bodene Thompson who was Cup-tied for the semi-final. Adam Cuthbertson, Alex Sutcliffe, Luke Briscoe and Jack Walker are also in contention. Castleford are without George Griffin from the team which lost to Hull last time out, but Derrell Olpherts is available following a spell in isolation and Alex Foster could return after injury. Calum Turner, Brad Martin and Dan Fleming are the others vying for a call up.

Other Rhinos injuries: Harry Newman (broken leg), Stevie Ward (head).

Facing their former club: Luke Gale joined Rhinos from Tigers at the end of last season. Castleford’s Paul McShane began his career at Leeds, as did Alex Foster. Brad Martin moved from Rhinos’ academy to Tigers at the end of last season.

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Leeds Rhinos: from Walker, T Briscoe, Hurrell, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Martin, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, Thompson, Smith, L Briscoe, Donaldson, A Sutcliffe, Holroyd.

Castleford Tigers: from Olpherts, Shenton, McShane, Millington, McMeeken, Milner, Massey, Foster, Blair, Moors, Clare, O’Neill, Cook, Hepi, Eden, Turner, Peachey, Martin, O’Brien, Sanderson, Fleming.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield). This is his second Leeds game this season, after the home loss to Hull in Super League round one.

Next match: Tuesday, October 13 - Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos (7.45pm at HJ Stadium); Sunday, October 18 - Hull v Castleford Tigers (venue to be confirmed, 3pm).

A message from the Editor:

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Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

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Thank you

Laura Collins