2025 Castleford Tigers season

Castleford Tigers 2025 season
Super League Rank	7th
Challenge Cup	Third round
2025 record	Wins: 0; draws: 0; losses: 2
Points scored	For: 34; against: 37
Team information
Chairman	Martin Jepson
Head Coach	Danny McGuire
Captain	Sam Wood
Stadium	The Jungle (Wheldon Road)
Top scorers
Tries	Josh Simm (2)
Goals	Tex Hoy (5)
Points	Tex Hoy (14)
Home colours Away colours
←  2024 List of seasons 2026  →

The 2025 season is the Castleford Tigers' 100th season in the Rugby Football League and their 18th consecutive season in the top flight of English rugby league. The club are competing in the 2025 Super League and the 2025 Challenge Cup.

This is Castleford's first season under Danny McGuire as head coach, and the team is captained by Sam Wood.

First-team squad

2025 Castleford Tigers Squad

First team squad								Coaching staff
1 Tex Hoy – FB 2 Jason Qareqare – WG 3 Zac Cini – CE 4 Sam Wood (c) – CE 5 Innes Senior – WG 6 Daejarn Asi – SH, SO 7 Rowan Milnes (gk) – SO, SH 8 Liam Watts – PR 9 Liam Horne – HK, LF 10 George Lawler (vc) – PR, SR, HK 11 Jeremiah Simbiken – SR 12 Alex Mellor (vc) – SR, CE 13 Joe Westerman – LF, PR		14 Judah Rimbu – HK, SO 15 George Griffin – PR 16 Cain Robb – HK 17 Luke Hooley – FB 18 Josh Hodson – CE 19 Sam Hall – PR 20 Muizz Mustapha – PR 21 Sylvester Namo – PR 22 Louis Senior – WG 23 Fletcher Rooney – FB 24 Josh Simm – WG, CE 25 Will Tate – CE, WG 26 George Hill – LF, HK		27 Jenson Windley – SH, SO 28 Akim Matvejev – PR 29 Alfie Horwell – HK, SO 30 Daniel Sarbah – WG, CE 31 Kieran Hudson – PR 32 Woody Walker – PR, LF 33 Sam Darley – SR 34 Jacob Hall – WG 35 Daniel Okoro – PR 36 Ben Davies – CE, SR 37 Lee Kershaw – WG Nick Staveley – PR, SR				Head coach Danny McGuire Assistant coaches Brett Delaney Scott Murrell Legend: (c) Captain(s) (vc) Vice-captain(s) (gk) Goal kicker

Transfers and loans

Transfers in

No	Player	From	Contract	Date	Ref.
5	Innes Senior	Huddersfield Giants	2 years [a]	22 May 2024	[1]
22	Louis Senior	Hull Kingston Rovers	2 years [a]	22 May 2024	[1]
3	Zac Cini	Parramatta Eels	2 years	21 August 2024	[2]
6	Daejarn Asi	Parramatta Eels	2 years	30 October 2024	[3]
14	Judah Rimbu	PNG Hunters	2 years	1 November 2024	[4]
31	Kieran Hudson	Leeds Rhinos	1 year	20 November 2024	[5]
11	Jeremiah Simbiken	Dolphins	1 year	4 December 2024	[6]
—	Nick Staveley	Hull FC	Trial	11 February 2025	[7]

Loans in

No	Player	From	Loan type	Arrival	Return	Ref.
35	Daniel Okoro	Warrington Wolves	Season-long	19 December 2024	Ongoing	[8]
36	Ben Davies	St Helens	Two-week	11 February 2025	19 February 2025	[9] [10]
37	Lee Kershaw	Hull Kingston Rovers	Two-week	19 February 2025	Ongoing	[11]

Transfers out

No	Player	To	Contract	Date	Ref.
3	Jack Broadbent	Hull Kingston Rovers	3 years [a]	23 April 2024	[12]
6	Danny Richardson	Hull Kingston Rovers	2 years [a]	23 August 2024	[13]
9	Paul McShane	York Knights [b]	2 years	5 September 2024	[14] [15]
7	Jacob Miller	Released	—	7 October 2024	[16]
11	Elie El-Zakhem	Mackay Cutters	1 year	7 October 2024	[16] [17]
17	Nixon Putt	Central Queensland Capras	1 year	7 October 2024	[16] [18]
25	Brad Martin	Leigh Leopards	2 years	7 October 2024	[16] [19]
26	Samy Kibula	Batley Bulldogs	1 year	7 October 2024	[16] [20]
30	Luis Johnson	Released	—	7 October 2024	[16]
32	Dan Hindmarsh	Released	—	7 October 2024	[16]
31	Kieran Hudson	York Knights	1 year	18 December 2024	[21]

1. Initially joined on loan during the 2024 season, with the deal being made permanent ahead of 2025
2. McShane initially announced his retirement, but later joined the York Knights on a two-year deal

Pre-season friendlies

Castleford announced pre-season fixtures against Sheffield Eagles, Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC, with each serving as a testimonial match for Quentin Laulu-Togaga'e, Luke Gale and Joe Westerman respectively. ^[22] In January, the squad headed for a week-long training camp in Spain, ^[23] which included a reduced-contact exhibition match against local club Valencia Huracanes in Tavernes de la Valldigna on 18 January. ^{[24] [25]} Played across four 20-minute quarters, the game saw some Castleford players swapping sides to supplement the Valencia team, while one travelling fan won the opportunity to play for the Tigers. ^[26] Castleford won the match 50–8. ^{[27] [28]}

Fri 10 January [a]	Sheffield Eagles	P–P [b]	Castleford Tigers	Featherstone
19:30 GMT		TRL		Stadium: Post Office Road

Fri 24 January [c]	Wakefield Trinity	32–8	Castleford Tigers	Wakefield
20:00 GMT	Tries: Walmsley  4' Scott  10' Rourke  36' Nikotemo  39' Rodwell  70' Hamlin-Uele  76' Goals: Jowitt (2/4)  12', 40' Gale (1/1)  71' Rourke (1/1)  78'	TRL	Tries: I. Senior  18' Simm  57' Goals: Hoy (0/1) Asi (0/1)	Stadium: Belle Vue Attendance: 3,079 Referee: Liam Rush

Sat 1 February [d]	Castleford Tigers	10–16	Hull FC	Castleford
15:00 GMT	Tries: Simm  13' I. Senior  28' Goals: Hoy (1/2)  14'	HDM	Tries: Rapana  22' Cartwright  42' Bourouh  47' Goals: Hardaker (0/1) Westerman (2/2)  43', 48'	Stadium: Wheldon Road Referee: Scott Mikalauskas

1. Quentin Laulu-Togaga'e's testimonial match
2. Postponed due to a frozen pitch
3. Luke Gale's testimonial match
4. Joe Westerman's testimonial match

Super League

Main article: 2025 Super League season

Results

On 20 November 2024, Super League teams revealed their schedules for the opening two matches as well as Rivals Round. ^[29] On 21 November, the full Super League fixture list was announced. ^[30]

Round 1: Fri 14 February	Hull Kingston Rovers	19–18	Castleford Tigers	Kingston upon Hull
20:00 GMT	Tries: Burgess  15', 64', 71' Hiku  38' Goals: Martin (1/4)  65' Drop goals: Lewis  84'	BBC Sky	Tries: Simm  22' Rooney  29' Cini  73' Goals: Hoy (3/5)  30', 33 (p)', 74'	Stadium: Craven Park Referee: Liam Rush

Round 2: Sat 22 February	Castleford Tigers	v	St Helens	Castleford
20:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 3: Sun 2 March	Leeds Rhinos	v	Castleford Tigers	Leeds
15:00 GMT				Stadium: Headingley Stadium

Round 4: Fri 7 March	Castleford Tigers	v	Salford Red Devils	Castleford
20:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 5: Sat 22 March	Castleford Tigers	v	Catalans Dragons	Castleford
15:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 6: Thu 27 March	Castleford Tigers	v	Hull FC	Castleford
20:00 GMT				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 7: Sat 12 April	Castleford Tigers	v	Leigh Leopards	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 8: Thu 17 April	Wakefield Trinity	v	Castleford Tigers	Wakefield
20:00 BST				Stadium: Belle Vue

Round 9: Sat 26 April	Huddersfield Giants	v	Castleford Tigers	Huddersfield
15:00 BST				Stadium: Kirklees Stadium

Round 10: Sun 4 May	Castleford Tigers	v	Wakefield Trinity	Newcastle upon Tyne
17:30 BST				Stadium: St James' Park

Round 11: Sun 18 May	Castleford Tigers	v	Salford Red Devils	Castleford
17:30 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 12: Sat 24 May	Castleford Tigers	v	Leeds Rhinos	Castleford
14:30 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 13: Sun 1 June	Warrington Wolves	v	Castleford Tigers	Warrington
15:00 BST				Stadium: Halliwell Jones Stadium

Round 14: Fri 13 June	Hull FC	v	Castleford Tigers	Kingston upon Hull
20:00 BST				Stadium: MKM Stadium

Round 15: Thu 19 June	Castleford Tigers	v	Hull Kingston Rovers	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 16: Sat 28 June	Castleford Tigers	v	Wigan Warriors	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 17: Thu 3 July	Castleford Tigers	v	Huddersfield Giants	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 18: Sun 13 July	Salford Red Devils	v	Castleford Tigers	Salford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Salford Community Stadium

Round 19: Sun 20 July	Castleford Tigers	v	Warrington Wolves	Castleford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 20: Fri 1 August	St Helens	v	Castleford Tigers	St Helens
20:00 BST				Stadium: Totally Wicked Stadium

Round 21: Sat 9 August	Hull Kingston Rovers	v	Castleford Tigers	Kingston upon Hull
15:00 BST				Stadium: Craven Park

Round 22: Sat 16 August	Castleford Tigers	v	Leeds Rhinos	Castleford
15:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 23: Sat 23 August	Catalans Dragons	v	Castleford Tigers	Perpignan
18:00 CEST				Stadium: Stade Gilbert Brutus

Round 24: Thu 28 August	Leigh Leopards	v	Castleford Tigers	Leigh
20:00 BST				Stadium: Leigh Sports Village

Round 25: Fri 5 September	Castleford Tigers	v	Wakefield Trinity	Castleford
20:00 BST				Stadium: Wheldon Road

Round 26: Fri 12 September	Wigan Warriors	v	Castleford Tigers	Wigan
20:00 BST				Stadium: Brick Community Stadium

Round 27: 18-21 September	St Helens	v	Castleford Tigers	St Helens
				Stadium: Totally Wicked Stadium

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Hull KR	2	2	0	0	33	30	+3	4	Advance to Semi-finals
2	St Helens	1	1	0	0	82	0	+82	2
3	Hull FC	1	1	0	0	24	4	+20	2	Advance to Eliminators
4	Warrington Wolves	1	1	0	0	20	12	+8	2
5	Leigh Leopards	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	2
6	Wakefield Trinity	2	1	0	1	26	26	0	2
7	Castleford Tigers	1	0	0	1	18	19	−1	0
8	Wigan Warriors	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	0
9	Leeds Rhinos	1	0	0	1	12	14	−2	0
10	Huddersfield Giants	1	0	0	1	12	20	−8	0
11	Catalans Dragons	1	0	0	1	4	24	−20	0
12	Salford Red Devils	1	0	0	1	0	82	−82	0

Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2025. Source:

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2025 Challenge Cup

Under the new competition format, Castleford entered the 2025 Challenge Cup in the Third Round, scheduled to be played in early February prior to the start of the Super League season. ^[31] As a top flight club, they were guaranteed an away tie against non-Super League opposition. ^[32] In the Third Round draw on 14 January, Castleford were selected to face the winners of the Second Round tie between Bradford Bulls and Doncaster. ^[33] Bradford progressed to face Castleford, with the match being chosen for broadcast by the BBC. ^[34]

Third round: Sun 9 February	Bradford Bulls	18–16	Castleford Tigers	Bradford
13:00 GMT	Tries: Donaldson  6' Gee  17' Holmes  40' Goals: Meadows (2/4)  18', 24 (p)' Drop goals: Keyes  34' Lilley  75'	BBC Sky	Tries: Simbiken  56' Simm  58' Hoy  79' Goals: Hoy (2/3)  57', 59'	Stadium: Odsal Stadium Attendance: 2,946 Referee: Liam Moore

References

1. "Senior twins signs Castleford contracts". BBC Sport. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
2. "Castleford sign Parramatta Eels back Cini". BBC Sport. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
3. "Castleford sign Parramatta Eels back Asi". BBC Sport. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
4. "Castleford sign Papua New Guinea hooker Rimbu". BBC Sport. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
5. Olawumi, Ben (20 November 2024). "Castleford Tigers confirm return of youngster following Leeds Rhinos departure". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
6. O'Brien, James (4 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers strengthen Papua New Guinea connection with signing of Dolphins forward". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
7. O'Brien, James (11 February 2025). "Former Hull FC forward Nick Staveley handed chance to earn deal at Castleford Tigers". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
8. Darbyshire, Drew (19 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers bring in Warrington Wolves loanee as new signing departs". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
9. "Castleford bring in Saints' Davies on initial loan". BBC Sport. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
10. Walker, Callum (19 February 2025). "Castleford Tigers loanee returns to St Helens after just one game as Paul Wellens explains "difficult situation"". TotalRL. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
11. Olawumi, Ben (19 February 2025). "Hull KR winger makes Super League switch following off-season move". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
12. "Broadbent joins Hull KR in Cas swap deal". BBC Sport. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
13. "Richardson signs permanent Hull KR deal". BBC Sport. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
14. "Cas captain and ex-Man of Steel McShane to retire". BBC Sport. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
15. Bower, Aaron (6 November 2024). "Former Super League Man of Steel agrees deal to join Championship club". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
16. Chapman-Coombe, Louis (7 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers confirm nine first team departures, including six 2024 recruits". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
17. Walker, Callum (23 November 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward Elie El-Zakhem's new club now confirmed". TotalRL. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
18. Chapman Coombe, Louis (19 December 2024). "Papua New Guinea international returns to former club after Castleford Tigers exit". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
19. "Leigh sign Castleford's Martin and Wigan's Brown". BBC Sport. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
20. Olawumi, Ben (31 October 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward makes Championship move after Super League stint". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
21. Walker, Callum (18 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers forward leaves Super League club". TotalRL. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
22. Darbyshire, Drew (10 December 2024). "2025 rugby league pre-season friendlies including dates, times and venues". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
23. Harber, Tony (6 January 2025). "Castleford Tigers are expecting to feel benefit of warm weather training week in Spain". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
24. Smith, Peter (5 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers make 'grow the game' pledge as pre-season match in Spain announced". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
25. Harber, Tony (9 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers set to warm up in Spain after announcing game in Valencia". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
26. Chapman Coombe, Louis (21 January 2025). "WATCH: Castleford Tigers bring fan on during pre-season friendly". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
27. Ibbetson, Stephen (19 January 2025). "Danny McGuire's verdict on Castleford Tigers' 'reduced contact' friendly in Valencia". TotalRL. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
28. Harber, Tony (20 January 2025). "Castleford Tigers 'in a good place' ahead of new season says head coach Danny McGuire". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
29. Olawumi, Ben (20 November 2024). "Super League fixtures 2025: Rounds 1 and 2, Rivals Round locked in as clubs announce first home match". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
30. "2025 Fixtures released". Super League. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
31. Olawumi, Ben (6 November 2024). "Challenge Cup draw and round dates revealed as competition adopts new format for 2025". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
32. "New format for Betfred Challenge Cup in 2025". RFL. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
33. "Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three Draw Confirmed". RFL. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
34. Olawumi, Ben (28 January 2025). "BBC make Challenge Cup Third Round broadcast pick as full schedule locked in". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 2 February 2025.

External links

• Castleford Tigers official website