Castleford Tigers v Salford Red Devils: First Utility Super League preview
Last Updated: 19/03/15 1:48pm
Salford Red Devils are at full strength for Friday’s First Utility Super League trip to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle to face Castleford Tigers.
Head coach Iestyn Harris faces a selection dilemma following the return to fitness of forward Cory Paterson and full-back Niall Evalds, but two former Castleford favourites are guaranteed to face their old team-mates.
Rangi Chase was in the Red Devils team that lost 14-10 in the corresponding fixture last year but his cousin Weller Hauraki will be returning for the first time since his close-season move across the Pennines.
"There is no better place to play than the Jungle in front of all the fans," said Hauraki. "I will always look forward to going back to Castleford."
The Red Devils have lost on each of their last seven trips to Castleford, stretching back to 2004, but they are unbeaten in three successive Super League games and defeated Wakefield last Sunday.
Salford will attempt to keep a close eye on Castleford winger Justin Carney, who has scored six tries in his four appearances against them.
The Tigers are still without captain Michael Shenton and he has been joined on the injury list by prop Andy Lynch, whose place is set to go to Ryan Boyle. Adam Milner, Ashley Gibson and Mike McMeeken are also back in contention.
“We showed against Wigan that we can perform at the highest level and now we need to show we can on that on a consistent basis,” said Castleford head coach Daryl Powell.
“Salford have plenty of dangerous players and they will be a real challenge."
Castleford Tigers: Ryan Boyle, Justin Carney, James Clare, Matt Cook, Steve Crossley, Luke Dorn, Liam Finn, Luke Gale, Ash Gibson, Oliver Holmes, Nathan Massey, Mike McMeeken, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Scott Moore, Junior Moors, Ben Roberts, Jake Webster, Scott Wheeldon.
Salford Red Devils: Rangi Chase, Michael Dobson, Niall Evalds, Theo Fages, Darrell Griffin, Josh Griffin, Harrison Hansen, Weller Hauraki, Greg Johnson, Ben Jones-Bishop, Tommy Lee, Kevin Locke, Adrian Morley, Cory Paterson, Junior Sa’u, Lama Tasi, Scott Taylor, Jordan Walne, Jay Walton.