Super League preview: Castleford Tigers v Hull FC
Castleford Tigers are gunning for a fifth straight victory to open the new Super League campaign against Hull FC.
Last Updated: 16/03/14 12:21pm
The Tigers maintained their perfect season last weekend with a dramatic last-gasp win over Wigan while the Black and Whites were drubbing Bradford Bulls on home soil.
Head coach Daryl Powell has made three changes to his 19-man squad with Luke Dorn, Kirk Dixon and Scott Wheeldon all dropping out.
Jordan Tansey and Jamie Ellis back in contention along with Jake Webster, who is named in the Tigers' squad for the first time in almost a year.
There are three changes to the squad as Luke Dorn, Kirk Dixon and Scott Wheeldon all drop out, with Jordan Tansey, Jamie Ellis and Jake Webster back in contention.
Former New Zealand international Webster made his return from injury last weekend for Castleford's partner club York City Knights after suffering a knee injury against Hull KR nearly a year ago.
"It's good to have him back," Powell told the Castleford and Pontefract Express of Webster. "Obviously, he's a vastly experienced player who has loads of ability and he will add to us, no question.
Pressure
"Jake will put pressure on the centres but also on the back-rowers as well, as playing him there is something that I'm considering."
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford, like Powell, has made three changes to his squad for Sunday's trip west along the M62.
Former Wigan and Hull KR winger Liam Colbon is in line to make his debut after arriving on a one-year contract last month after coming in for the injured Tom Lineham.
Half-back Jacob Miller drops out and prop Feka Paleaaesina misses the match with a calf injury. Garreth Carvell is fit to take his place following an ankle problem whilst Joe Arundel will compete with Ben Crooks for a centre berth.
"I honestly can't wait for this Sunday. I love the ground, love Castleford, love playing there and love watching rugby there," Radford told the club's official website.
"We've got a lot of West Yorkshire lads in the squad and they're saying they've never seen so many Cas shirts around the town. It's going to be a great day and hopefully if the weather is good it will be a great day for rugby.
"If we're going to get anything out of this game, we'll need our fair share of possession. We're going to be up for the game because of the atmosphere and the crowd."
Castleford Tigers: Tansey, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Sneyd, Lynch, Milner, Huby, Millington, Hauraki, Massey, Clark, Holmes, Mariano, Ellis, Owen, Channing, Fleming, Finn.
Hull FC: Arundel, Bowden, Carvell, Crookes, Colbon, Ellis, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Paea, Rankin, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Tuson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.