Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers: First Utility Super League preview
Last Updated: 11/06/15 10:13pm
Castleford coach Daryl Powell is confident his side can "lay down a marker" when they take on First Utility Super League leaders Leeds at Headingley on Thursday night.
The Tigers sit sixth following back-to-back wins over Wakefield and Hull KR and appear to be running into form at just the right time.
Although Powell's men lost at home to the Rhinos over Easter, they will have happy memories of their last visit to Headingley where they claimed a 24-24 draw last July.
"If you can get a result at Leeds, you're going pretty well," said Powell, a former player and coach at the Rhinos.
"It's a tough place to go. We were outstanding there last year and drew the game so we know we can go there and perform well.
"Obviously it's a slightly different team this year but I think we've shown some really good signs over the last couple of games. There's a real good feel about the boys and the way they're going about their business.
"We need to go challenge them, put them under pressure and make them work for everything.”
We need to go challenge them, put them under pressure and make them work for everything.
Daryl Powell
Powell has made two changes to his 19-man squad, with Scott Moore and former Leeds prop Ryan Bailey replacing James Clare and Michael Channing, while a late decision will be made on whether Ben Roberts or Jordan Tansey starts at full-back.
Kylie Leuluai could make his return for Leeds after three months out following shoulder surgery, while Liam Sutcliffe is expected to continue at full-back in the absence of Zak Hardaker.
Leeds Rhinos: Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai, Paul Aiton, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Kevin Sinfield, Stevie Ward, Adam Cuthbertson, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Singleton, Jimmy Keinhorst, Josh Walters, Ash Handley, Jordan Lilley.
Castleford Tigers: Ryan Bailey, Ryan Boyle, Liam Finn, Luke Gale, Ash Gibson, Oliver Holmes, Andy Lynch, Will Maher, Nathan Massey, Mike McMeeken, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Scott Moore, Junior Moors, Ben Roberts, Michael Shenton, Denny Solomona, Jordan Tansey, Jake Webster.
Watch Leeds v Castleford live on Sky Sports 3 on Thursday from 7.30pm. Get a NOW TV pass from only £6.99.