Tigers v Quins: Teams
Castleford have included nine new signings in their squad to take on a motivated Harlequins side on Sunday.
Last Updated: 15/02/09 10:27am
Castleford have included nine new signings in their squad to face Harlequins on Sunday.
New captain Ryan Hudson is set to play his first game since returning to the club from Huddersfield Giants. NRL recruits Rangi Chase and Dean Widders are both likely to make their Super League bows.
Former Sheffield Eagles winger James Ford is the only close-season signing that fails to make Terry Matterson's 19-man squad for the season opener.
Ryan Boyle (ankle), Ryan Clayton (shoulder) and Nathan Massey (dead leg) will all miss Castleford's first game of the season through injury.
Pumped
Former Castleford stand-off Luke Dorn will head straight back to the Jungle with new team Harlequins.
Fresh faces Chad Robinson, Luke Williamson, Luke Gale and Ben Kaye are also all set to appear in Harlequins' colours for the first time but forward Daniel Heckenberg is ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Quins coach Brian McDermott revealed that his side cannot wait to get off to a winning start but recognises the threat posed by the home team.
"Everything is in place and the team are pumped and raring to go," he said.
"After the disappointment of our game against Bradford being postponed, we've had some great field sessions this week and are looking forward to getting the season underway at Castleford.
"They've recruited well for this year and they'll be a force to be reckoned with, but we're ready."
Castleford squad: Owen, Dixon, Shenton, Evans, Wainwright, Chase, Sherwin, Sargent, Hudson, Huby, Ferres, Westerman, Jones, Higgins, Feather, Netherton, Faumuina, McGoldrick, Widders.
Harlequins squad: Clubb, Dorn, Gafa, Gale, Grayshon, Haggerty, Howell, Kaye, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, Orr, Purdham, Randall, Robinson, Sharp, Temata, Ward, Wells, Williamson.