Thursday 24 March 2016 19:43, UK
Castleford coach Daryl Powell is calling for a positive response from his players as they look to avoid a fourth successive defeat when they kick off the Easter programme against Leeds on Thursday night.
The Tigers suffered a humiliating 56-12 defeat to Warrington on Friday after which Powell apologised to fans.
But he's hoping the intense rivalry of a derby with the reigning Super League champions will help stop the rot.
"We've got a lot to do after last week to get some pride back," Powell said. "We've had a pretty honest week and I'm confident after watching the players train today.
"It's a local derby, we're at home and the place is going to be packed. It's a key game for us. It's against the team that all Castleford fans want us to beat more than any other."
Castleford's stand-in captain Luke Gale knows about the rivalry with his home-town club as much as anyone.
"It would be good to bounce back against your local rivals," said Gale, a product of the Headingley academy who played for Doncaster, London Broncos and Bradford before joining the Tigers at the start of last season.
"It's not been a happy place this week but it's a real good chance to bounce back.
"I played for Leeds, I grew up in Leeds and I'm a Leeds lad. I just think everyone gets up for a Leeds game and we've done well in the past against them.
"I'm good friends with Danny McGuire and it would be good to get one over on him. I think he'll be back to give them some guidance."
McGuire, who was a late withdrawal from last Friday's win over St Helens, is finally expected to return from a knee injury sustained in the Rhinos' opening game of the season, while Gale could have his half-back partner Ben Roberts alongside him after missing the last two games with a foot injury.
"It would be massive if we got him back," Gale said. "If any team loses a half-back, they struggle. We were just getting a good combination going. He started the season off really well."
Already without Michael Shenton, Oliver Holmes, Junior Moors and Luke Dorn, Castleford have lost Frankie Mariano and Matt Cook for this game but Powell is not looking for excuses.
"We're a little bit low on personnel but Leeds have been too and they found it tough, although they've named a pretty strong squad for this one," Powell said.
"We've still got a very good squad that will take the field. Obviously we need to respond from what we did last week, that goes without saying. It's crucial for us."
Leeds look sure to be without winger Ryan Hall but should have fellow England international Tom Briscoe back from a six-week injury lay-off to help plug the gap.
"I'm really exited to get back out there and do what I can to help the team," said Briscoe, who sustained a leg injury in the second round at Widnes.
"It's been really tough. I went through it last year when we were winning games, and it's on the flip side this year, we've not been doing so well.
"You'd like to think you could improve the team but you never know until you're out there and the main thing is to get out there."
Castleford Tigers: Ryan Boyle, Ben Crooks, Luke Gale, Ryan Hampshire, Jy Hitchcox, Lee Jewitt, Andy Lynch, Will Maher, Nathan Massey, Mike McMeeken, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Greg Minikin, Joel Monaghan, Ben Roberts, Denny Solomona, Gadwin Springer, Jake Webster
Leeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire (c), Rob Burrow, Keith Galloway, Beau Falloon, Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Liam Sutcliffe, Brett Delaney, Jimmy Keinhorst, Anthony Mullally, Josh Walters, Ash Handley, Brett Ferres
Watch Castleford v Leeds live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
