Castleford Tigers & Wakefield Trinity both lose key forward as 21-man squads named for derby clash
Both teams are without a first-choice prop through injury after initial squads were named for Friday’s derby between Castleford Tigers and visitors Wakefield Trinity.
Tom Amone has dropped out of the hosts’ 21, while Isaiah Vagana is unavailable for Trinity. Amone suffered a foot injury during last Thursday’s 46-4 drubbing at his former club Leigh Leopards and could have played his last game for Tigers before he joins Hull KR next season. His place in the 21 is taken by outside-back Sam Wood who has missed the past two matches with a wrist injury.
Vagana and rookie Noah High drop out of Trinity’s 21. Vagana suffered a calf muscle injury during last week’s 48-6 hammering of Huddersfield Giants and High was not included in the matchday 17.
Winger Lachlan Walmsley is back in Trinity’s squad after being rested against Giants. Jack Croft, who has converted from the three-quarters to back-row this year, has been recalled from loan at Salford Red Devils and is also included.
Croft hasn’t played for Trinity since a home win against Catalans Dragons on July 5, but was a member of the Salford team who stunned Warrington Wolves last week.
Tigers – who this week confirmed the signing of Fijian Test winger Semi Valemei from North Queensland Cowboys – are battling to avoid finishing second from bottom in Betfred Super League. A win for Trinity, who hold the sixth and final play-off spot, would see them open a three-point gap on seventh-placed Hull FC ahead of their derby at leaders Hull KR on Sunday.
Tigers’ 21 is: Tex Hoy, Sam Wood, Daejarn Asi, Liam Horne, George Lawler, Jeremiah Simbiken, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman, George Griffin, Cain Robb, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha, Louis Senior, Will Tate, George Hill, Brad Singleton, Hugo Salabio, Chris Atkin, Joe Stimson, Elliot Wallis, Alfie Lindsey.
Trinity’s 21 is: Max Jowitt, Lachlan Walmsley, Cameron Scott, Tom Johnstone, Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Seth Nikotemo, Josh Griffin, Jay Pitts, Renouf Atoni, Matty Storton, Oliver Pratt, Mason Lino, Mathieu Cozza, Josh Rourke, Matty Russell, Jack Croft, Harvey Smith, Jayden Myers, Caius Faatili.