2025 Castleford Tigers season

Castleford Tigers 2025 season
Team information
ChairmanMartin Jepson
Head CoachDanny McGuire
Captain
StadiumThe Jungle (Wheldon Road)
Home colours
Away colours
← 2024 List of seasons 2026 →

The 2025 season will be 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 will compete in the 2025 Super League and the 2025 Challenge Cup.

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

First-team squad

2025 Castleford Tigers Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • (gk) Goal kicker



Transfers and loans

Transfers in

No Player From Contract Date Ref.
5 Ireland Innes Senior Huddersfield Giants 2 years[a] 22 May 2024 [1]
22 Ireland Louis Senior Hull Kingston Rovers 2 years[a] 22 May 2024 [1]
3 Australia Zac Cini Parramatta Eels 2 years 21 August 2024 [2]
6 Samoa Daejarn Asi Parramatta Eels 2 years 30 October 2024 [3]
14 Papua New Guinea Judah Rimbu PNG Hunters 2 years 1 November 2024 [4]
31 England Kieran Hudson Leeds Rhinos 1 year 20 November 2024 [5]
11 Papua New Guinea Jeremiah Simbiken Dolphins 1 year 4 December 2024 [6]

Loans in

No Player From Loan type Arrival Return Ref.
— Nigeria Daniel Okoro Warrington Wolves Season-long 19 December 2024 Ongoing [7]

Transfers out

No Player To Contract Date Ref.
3 England Jack Broadbent Hull Kingston Rovers 3 years[a] 23 April 2024 [8]
6 England Danny Richardson Hull Kingston Rovers 2 years[a] 23 August 2024 [9]
9 England Paul McShane York Knights[b] 2 years 5 September 2024 [10][11]
7 Australia Jacob Miller Released — 7 October 2024 [12]
11 Lebanon Elie El-Zakhem Mackay Cutters 1 year 7 October 2024 [12][13]
17 Papua New Guinea Nixon Putt Central Queensland Capras 1 year 7 October 2024 [12][14]
25 England Brad Martin Leigh Leopards 2 years 7 October 2024 [12][15]
26 Democratic Republic of the Congo Samy Kibula Batley Bulldogs 1 year 7 October 2024 [12][16]
30 Jamaica Luis Johnson Released — 7 October 2024 [12]
32 England Dan Hindmarsh Released — 7 October 2024 [12]
31 England Kieran Hudson York Knights 1 year 18 December 2024 [17]
  1. ^ a b c d 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.[18] In December, they announced a further friendly against Spanish club Valencia Huracanes which would take place overseas in January.[19][20]

Fri 10 January[a] Sheffield Eagles P–P[b] Castleford Tigers Featherstone
19:30 GMT
 TRL
Stadium: Post Office Road
Sat 18 January Valencia Huracanes v Castleford Tigers Tavernes de la Valldigna
15:00 CET
 Stadium: Tavernes Rugby Club
Fri 24 January[c] Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers Wakefield
20:00 GMT
 Stadium: Belle Vue
Sat 1 February[d] Castleford Tigers v Hull FC Castleford
15:00 GMT
 Stadium: Wheldon Road
  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.[21] On 21 November, the full Super League fixture list was announced.[22]

Round 1: Fri 14 February Hull Kingston Rovers v Castleford Tigers Kingston upon Hull
20:00 GMT
 Stadium: Craven Park
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
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Castleford Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Semi-finals
2 Catalans Dragons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Huddersfield Giants 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Eliminators
4 Hull FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Hull KR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Leeds Rhinos 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Leigh Leopards 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Salford Red Devils 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 St Helens 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 Wakefield Trinity 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 Warrington Wolves 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 Wigan Warriors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Challenge Cup

Main article: 2025 Challenge Cup

Under the new competition format, Castleford will enter the 2025 Challenge Cup in the Third Round, scheduled to be played in early February prior to the start of the Super League season.[23] As a top flight club, they are guaranteed an away tie against non-Super League opposition.[24]

References

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (19 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers bring in Warrington Wolves loanee as new signing departs". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Broadbent joins Hull KR in Cas swap deal". BBC Sport. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Richardson signs permanent Hull KR deal". BBC Sport. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Cas captain and ex-Man of Steel McShane to retire". BBC Sport. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  11. ^ Bower, Aaron (6 November 2024). "Former Super League Man of Steel agrees deal to join Championship club". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Chapman-Coombe, Louis (7 October 2024). "Castleford Tigers confirm nine first team departures, including six 2024 recruits". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  13. ^ Walker, Callum (23 November 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward Elie El-Zakhem's new club now confirmed". TotalRL. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Leigh sign Castleford's Martin and Wigan's Brown". BBC Sport. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  16. ^ Olawumi, Ben (31 October 2024). "Ex-Castleford Tigers forward makes Championship move after Super League stint". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  17. ^ Walker, Callum (18 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers forward leaves Super League club". TotalRL. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  18. ^ Darbyshire, Drew (10 December 2024). "2025 rugby league pre-season friendlies including dates, times and venues". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Harber, Tony (9 December 2024). "Castleford Tigers set to warm up in Spain after announcing game in Valencia". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "2025 Fixtures released". Super League. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "New format for Betfred Challenge Cup in 2025". RFL. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.