One-club man Nathan Massey targets silverware with Castleford Tigers

Now nearing the veteran stage, Nathan Massey has set his sights on spending his entire career with Castleford Tigers.
Nathan Massey. Picture by Tony Johnson.Nathan Massey. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Nathan Massey. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Massey made his debut in 2007 and had loan spells with Featherstone Rovers, York City Knights, Gateshead Thunder and Keighley Cougars before establishing himself in Tigers’ squad around a decade ago.

Now 30, Massey admitted he is keen to leave off where he started.

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Speaking ahead of Saturday's game at Catalans Dragons, he said: “I have got a two-year deal so I’ll see how I feel after that.

George Griffin. Picture by Tony JohnsonGeorge Griffin. Picture by Tony Johnson
George Griffin. Picture by Tony Johnson

"It [being at Cas so long] is something I am really proud of, I love playing at this club and have done for a number of years.

“It would be a great achievement to hopefully finish here as well.

"There’s been a couple of times when maybe I thought I would leave, but this club is pretty special to me.”

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Before that, Massey wants to help Tigers go from nearly-men to trophy winners.

Having been a Challenge Cup and Grand Final runner-up, he insisted: “That [winning a final] is our aim.

"We have started the season in great fashion and I think with players coming back and competition in the squad we have got a great chance this year.”

Tigers will step out at Stade Gilbert Brutus on the back of successive Betfred Super League wins, despite an early-season injury pile-up.

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Mike McMeeken is set to make his first appearance of the campaign in France and Tyla Helpi and George Griffin are also back in contention.

Massey said: “On the back of what’s happened to us injury-wise at the start of the year, I think we’ve been outstanding.

“We’ve got boys coming in who’ve had limited pre-seasons and they’ve put their hand up to play and done a great job.

"Hopefully we’ll get a few numbers back in the next couple of weeks and we can build on the start to the season we’ve had.”

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Catalans will give a debut to controversial winger Israel Folau and Lewis Tierney is available after injury.

Folau’s inclusion will not faze Tigers, who dealt with the fuss surrounding Sonny Bill Williams’ debut for Toronto Wolfpack two weeks ago.

“It’s nothing new," Massey said.

"We know he’s an outstanding player.

“We don't know much about him, obviously he’s been a bit of a star in rugby union and he’s not played [league] for a few years, like Sonny Bill.

“But he’s just another player in there and we have got a job to do.”

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Catalans Dragons: from Tierney, Langi, Folau, Yaha, Maloney, Drinkwater, Casty, McIlorum, Whitley, J Tomkins, Garcia, Bousquet, Jullien, Albert, Seguier, Romano, Maria, Baitieri, Marguerite, Kasiano, S Tomkins.

Castleford Tigers: from Rankin, Olpherts, Shenton, Trueman, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Millington, Holmes, McMeeken, Massey, Griffin, Blair, Smith, Moors, Clare, O’Neill, Hepi, Storey, Martin, Hall.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).

Kick-off: Saturday, 5pm GMT.