Super League: Castleford Tigers v London Broncos preview
Last Updated: 02/08/14 6:49pm
Castleford Tigers will aim to keep pace with Super League’s leading trio when they play host to the already-relegated London Broncos at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Sunday.
Daryl Powell’s Tigers are currently sitting comfortably in fourth with just four points separating them from league leaders St Helens, while Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos are just two points ahead in second and third respectively.
Since losing to Saints in June the Tigers are unbeaten in five after claiming wins against Salford Red Devils, Widnes Vikings and Huddersfield Giants before drawing with Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC.
After sharing the spoils with the Rhinos, Powell’s Tigers ran in three tries in the final 13 minutes to clinch a dramatic draw against the Airlie Birds.
Meanwhile, the Broncos remain winless and have just five rounds left to find a Super League win before they drop down to the second tier.
A 62-10 reverse at the hands of Hull KR at The Hive extended their losing streak to 22 matches, but still Broncos boss Joe Grima is eyeing a strong close to the season.
"For us now it is all about finishing the season as positively as we can, but more importantly planning for where this club is going to be next season,” he said.
Despite London’s fate being decided weeks ago, Tigers front rower Andy Lynch remains wary of the threat posed by the Broncos.
First time for everything
“They have still got some quality players,” Lynch told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “You don’t want to be the first team to lose to London, so there’s a bit of pressure on us.”
Lynch however will not feature for the Tigers this weekend, as he is of three changes made my Powell for the visit of London.
The injured Grant Millington looks set for a long stay on the sidelines while Weller Hauraki will serve the first match of his ban following an incident involving Jordan Abdull last weekend.
In their absence Justin Carney, Jake Webster and Craig Huby come into the 19-man squad.
Meanwhile, Broncos coach Grima makes just one change to the side which was routed by the Rovers last time out.
New Zealander Nesiasi Mataitonga comes into the travelling party at the expense of James Woodburn-Hall.
Castleford Tigers: Dixon, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Dorn, Sneyd, Milner, Huby, Massey, Holmes, Mariano, Wheeldon, Ellis, Gibson, Clare, Finn, Day, Jewitt, Carvell
London Broncos: Atkins, Cook, Dollapi, Drinkwater, Farrar, Griffin, Keyes, Krasniqi, Lovell, Mataitonga, McMeeken, Minns, Moore, Slyney, Solomona, Thomas, Vea, Wallace, Wicks