Rib injury report 'tongue in cheek' says Castleford Tigers coach as Liam Watts is cleared to face his former club Hull FC

Pack leader Liam Watts was joking when he claimed on social media to have suffered “four broken ribs” during Castleford Tigers’ win over Salford Red Devils, coach Daryl Powell says.
Liam Watts. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Liam Watts. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Liam Watts. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Watts led from the front as Tigers hit back from 18-0 down after just 11 minutes to end their post-coronavirus duck with a 37-30 success last week.

Powell confirmed Watts had suffered a painful blow to his chest, but the front-rower has been named in Tigers’ initial 21-man squad for Thursday's showdown with Hull at St Helens.

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And asked about Watts’ Tweet following last week’s game, Powell said: “I think it was slightly tongue in cheek from Wattsy, it tends to be his sense of humour.

James Clare is treated during Tigers' defeat by Wigan. Picture by Mike Egerton/PA Wire.James Clare is treated during Tigers' defeat by Wigan. Picture by Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
James Clare is treated during Tigers' defeat by Wigan. Picture by Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

“He is all right.

“He is sore, obviously, because he copped a fair whack just underneath his ribcage, but he will be okay.”

Watts’ wife Beth has given birth to their son, Chanse, since last week’s game and Powell added: “He is pretty happy at the moment.”

Winger James Clare is also included in Tigers’ squad, less than two weeks after needing hospital treatment on a neck injury suffered against Wigan Warriors.

“He is pretty durable,” Powell said of Clare.

“He gets through things pretty well.

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“It looked like a bad injury, obviously he stayed on the ground a long time, but he recovered.

“He was okay-ish, he was still pretty stiff and sore the next day, but he has done well.

“We have got a couple of games coming up in quick succession and - whether he plays in this game or not - it is great to have him available again.”

Tigers will return to St Helens on Sunday for a Coral Challenge Cup sixth-round tie against Hull.

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Powell admitted two games in four days is a tall order, but insisted: “I think we have got players with a mindset to be able to do it.”

He said: “They have got the right mentality at the moment and I see a really hungry, happy group of players.

“We have just got to go and play and do ourselves justice.”

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