Tigers v Dragons: Teams
Young hooker Adam Milner has been named in Castleford's 19-man squad to take on Catalans Dragons at Murrayfield on Sunday.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 30/04/10 6:19pm
Young hooker Adam Milner has been named in Castleford's 19-man squad to take on Catalans Dragons at Murrayfield on Sunday.
The 18-year-old is included in the senior squad for the first time, replacing Kirk Netherton in the line-up after he joined Widnes on loan earlier this week.
Milner marks the only change to the squad that defeated Salford 30-12 last weekend, with 17-year-old Oliver Holmes retaining his spot in the side after making his second senior appearance against the Reds.
Coach Terry Matterson is hoping Tigers can carry the momentum from their Salford win into the Magic Weekend clash.
"It was very important for us to get back on the winning track last Sunday after a disappointing few weeks, but it's equally important that we use that victory as a platform and we are very keen to earn back to back wins," Matterson told Tigers' official website.
"The win over Salford was hard earned but it has given us back some of the confidence that had been lacking of late and the guys are in the right frame of mind to put in a good performance.
"Like ourselves, Catalans have been hit by injuries and have been struggling a little, but we know that they are a better team than their league position suggests. We had to work very hard for our win in France and I'm sure that they will turn the corner - but we don't want that to be this week.
"The Magic Weekend hasn't been too good for us with a heavy defeat in Cardiff in 2008 and we were unlucky to lose to Hull last year, so we would like to give something back to our fans who make the long journey to the event."
Absence
Catalans assistant coach Laurent Frayssinous has selected the squad to travel to Edinburgh in the absence of Kevin Walters, who is on compassionate leave.
Dragons are without second rower Cyril Gossard, who is recovering from an ankle injury, while Jamal Fakir is still sidelined.
As a result, Julien Touxagas and Sebastien Martins have been called into the 19-man squad, along with winger Cyril Stacul.
Castleford squad: Dixon, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Snitch, Westerman, Jones, Higgins, Jackson, Clayton, Thompson, McGoldrick, Holmes, Milner, Tuson.
Catalans squad: Bell, Raguin, Sa, Pelo, Bosc, Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson, Baile, Carlaw, Touxagas, K. Bentley, Martins, Casty, Stacul, Vaccari.