Castleford Tigers news: new signing ruled out of St Helens game after injury blow
A new signing has been ruled out of Castleford Tigers pre-season game at St Helens on Saturday.
Fijian winger Semi Valemei, recruited from North Queensland Cowboys, was named in Tigers’ squad earlier this week, but will miss the Matty Lees testimonial game after suffering a hamstring injury in training. Fellow signings Brock Greacen, Blake Taaffe, Mikaele Rivalawa, Jordan Lane, Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, Darnell McIntosh and Tom Weaver are all set to make their first appearance for Tigers. Another new face, Jimmy Beckett, is one of six players backing up from last Sunday’s 26-10 win against Leeds Rhinos.
Fletcher Rooney, Brad Singleton, Louis Senior, Jenson Windley and Alfie Lindsey will also get another opportunity after featuring in a largely second-string side against Rhinos. Other than Valemei, centre Zac Cini is the only player with a one-13 squad number not included in Saturday’s squad. Tigers say he “continues to make progress” as he recovers from a pre-season hamstring problem and is expected to be available for the visit to Toulouse Olympique in Betfred Super League round two on February 21.
Jason Qareqare is poised to return from long-term injury, but Castleford will be without new signing Jack Ashworth who is serving a suspension picked up as a Hull FC player last year. Cain Robb is sidelined following ankle surgery last month.
Tigers squad is: Blake Taaffe, Darnell McIntosh, Mikaele Ravalawa, Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver, Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor, Joe Stimson, Brock Greacen, Joe Westerman, Chris Atkin, Fletcher Rooney, Brad Singleton, Louis Senior, Jason Qareqare, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, Alfie Lindsey, Jimmy Beckett.