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2025 Season Preview: Castleford Tigers

26 Jan 2025

The 2024 season can certainly be described as a transitional one for the Castleford Tigers.

A total of 15 league points and a tenth-placed finish was probably above par for many of the Tigers faithful, especially after a disappointing start that saw them lose their opening six matches while struggling to score points.

Castleford managed just seven wins in last year’s campaign, with a few highlights along the way - including close contests with Wigan Warriors and Hull KR in June, followed by a sensational victory away at St Helens in September – proving that they can compete with any team on their day.

Their aim this year will certainly be to build on those 2024 performances. And if the Tigers tighten up defensively and their new signings can bring the spark, then there should be no reason why they cannot challenge and compete with the clubs above and around them.

? McGuire x Delaney x Murrell#COYF • #TIGERSFUTURE pic.twitter.com/H9eSeQXVsh
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) November 11, 2024

The West Yorkshire side will have a brand-new coaching team with Danny McGuire at the helm for 2025, who signed a three-year contract at the Jungle after the club parted ways with Craig Lingard at the end of last season.

He has a mix of experience and homegrown talent at his disposal, as well as four overseas recruits – and it’s a squad that he will no doubt want to bring the best out of.

But just what can we expect from the Tigers in 2025?

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? https://t.co/qXBD77YiCa #COYF • #TIGERSFUTURE pic.twitter.com/ZVqpIxzpNY
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) January 14, 2025

Ins & Outs

Ins: Innes Senior (Huddersfield), Louis Senior (Hull KR), Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi (both Parramatta Eels), Judah Rimbu (PNG Hunters), Jeremiah Simbiken (North Devils)

Outs: Corey Hall, Danny Richardson, Paul McShane, Daniel Hindmarsh, Elie El-Zakhem, Jacob Miller, Brad Martin, Luis Johnson, Samy Kibula, Nixon Putt

Ones to watch

Much of Castleford's success in 2025 is likely to depend on the form of their newly shaped spine and how their overseas signings perform.

They will be relying on Daejarn Asi from Parramatta Eels to bring the magic, as he is set to partner Rowan Milnes in the halves. Asi will also be linking up with fancy fullback Tex Hoy – a player who will be looking to go even better in 2025 – having found his feet at the Jungle following his mid-season move from Hull FC last year.

? It's time to get excited!

?? https://t.co/qXBD77YiCa #COYF • #TIGERSFUTURE pic.twitter.com/5p8crarUdC
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) January 11, 2025

The Senior brothers, Innes and Louis, are also two speedsters that will no doubt pose a threat to teams in the upcoming campaign. Innes was the club’s top try scorer with 14 tries in 2024, with the majority being his trademark and stunning length of the field efforts.

On the contrary, Louis’ season was hindered with an unfortunate quad injury in May. He managed just four appearances all year, so will be yearning to make his comeback.

The Tigers’ 2024 standout performer Liam Horne is expected to be the club’s talisman once again this season. Horne has been sensational for his side, topping the club stats and stepping up as leader when needed. He will also look to continue his impressive connection with fellow Papua New Guinean and the versatile Judah Rimbu, who joins the club for 2025.

Horne and Rimbu recently played together in the Pacific Championships for PNG - also alongside Cas teammates Sylvester Namo and Jeremiah Simbiken. Can they take this international experience back to Castleford?

Next generation

Fletcher Rooney made his breakthrough into the first team last year. The now 19-year-old may have only made three appearances, but managed to score two tries in the process and never once looked out of place. Rooney has gained vital experience heading into 2025 and will be aiming for plenty more first team starts in 2025.

Defining dates

Castleford have a tough start in 2025 but will want to avoid a repeat of last year where they lost their opening six matches.

They start off with a trip to Sewell Group Craven Park where they will face last year’s Grand Finalists Hull KR. This is before welcoming St Helens to the Jungle for their first home tie.

McGuire will be desperate to re-establish the Jungle as their once notable fortress when they welcome teams there in the upcoming campaign, and they have the opportunity to do just that with a run of four home games throughout March and heading into April. This is a key period they will need to try and capitalise on.

The Tigers will no doubt be relishing the return of the fixture with their nearest and dearest Wakefield Trinity, who they face a total of three times throughout the 2025 Super League, including the hotly anticipated Rivals Rounds and Magic Weekend.

? We want to see you at the Jungle in the new year!

? Sign up now!https://t.co/qXBD77YiCa pic.twitter.com/vUGHO0qk2q
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) December 29, 2024

Squad list

1 Tex Hoy, 2 Jason Qareqare, 3 Zac Cini, 4 Sam Wood, 5 Innes Senior, 6 Daejarn Asi, 7 Rowan Milnes, 8 Liam Watts, 9 Liam Horne, 10 George Lawler, 11 Jeremiah Simbiken, 12 Alex Mellor, 13 Joe Westerman, 14 Judah Rimbu, 15 George Griffin, 16 Cain Robb, 17 Luke Hooley, 18 Josh Hodson, 19 Sam Hall, 20 Muizz Mustapha, 21 Sylvester Namo, 22 Louis Senior, 23 Fletcher Rooney, 24 Josh Simm, 25 Will Tate, 26 George Hill, 27 Jenson Windley, 28 Akim Matvejev, 29 Alfie Horwell, 30 Daniel Sarbah, 31 Kieran Hudson, 32 Woody Walker, 33 Sam Darley, 34 Jacob Hall