Castleford Tigers coach Ryan Carr has revealed the qualities he reckons make next opponents Leeds Rhinos the team to beat this season.

Rhinos are on a seven-game winning run and will travel to Castleford tomorrow (Sunday) as Betfred Super League leaders. Carr - who had a spell as Leeds’ assistant-coach in 2019 - believes they are now “the benchmark” as the competition enters its final third.

“They compete really hard and they work hard for each other so they come at you for the full 80,” he said of Tigers’ near-neighbours. “They definitely don’t take a play off and that’s what they are really good at and why they are where they are on the table, I suppose.”

Prop Tyler Dupree is set to return from concussion when Castleford Tigers play host to Leeds Rhinos on Sunday. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Carr added: “They have got strike, they’ve got power, they’ve got a good balance in everything they are doing at the moment. They are healthy, they’ve got a lot of their main guys in and that always helps with continuity of your playing group.”

While Rhinos are in run of consistent good form, Tigers - who began round 19 in 12th spot - are the opposite, having beaten Wigan Warriors and St Helens, but lost to Toulouse Olympique and York Knights this term. However, they tend to raise their game against Leeds and the visitors’ status on the table adds extra spice to an encounter Carr feels will bring the best out of his side.

“There’s no better way to test yourself than against the team coming first,” Carr - who is boosted by the return of forwards Tyler Dupree and Joe Westerman to his initial squad - insisted. “I’m really excited. It’s a local derby, we’re at home and we always want to play our best footy here. It’ll be a good turnout and a good spectacle for the fans and I can't wait.”

Tigers’ crowds have held up despite some poor seasons and Carr is hopeful a full house this weekend will be a sign of things to come. He stressed: “That’s our vision and our goal as a club, from board level down to playing level.

Castleford Tigers coach Ryan Carr. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“That’s where we need to get to. We have a passionate rugby league community here in Cas and we are a one-club town. We have got to make sure our fans are proud to come and watch us play and support us - that’s our job, to play well to be able to make that happen. It’s definitely something we want to try and make a common thing for us moving forward.”

Meanwhile, Carr is excited about the prospect of former Rhinos prop Robbie Mulhern joining Tigers next season. The Leigh Leopards man has signed a three-year contract beginning in 2027.

Carr said: “He’s a champion person, an unbelievable team-mate, really selfless in his actions, plays big minutes, gets through a ton of work with and without the ball, just a great athlete and a great player.

“The leadership factor was a big factor in what we've seen in him too. We know what we’re getting and we are really pumped to have him on board for 2027.”