Round 13 of the Betfred Super League sees the Rhinos host Castleford at AMT Headingley in one of the highlight clashes of the Betfred Super League season as the two Yorkshire sides do battle, kick off 5.30pm.

As matchday approaches, find out more about Craig Lingard's Tigers side here:

Overview

Name: Castleford Tigers

Founded: 1926

Seasons in Super League: 26

Head Coach: Craig Lingard

Club Captain: Paul McShane and Joe Westerman

Last three season finishes: 2023 = 11th, 2022 = 7th, 2021 = 7th

Best SL finish: First (2017)

Grand Final appearances: One (2017 - Finalists)

Most career appearances: John Joyner (613)

Most career tries: Alan Hardisty (206 - 1958-71)

Most career points: Albert Lunn (1870 - 1951-63)

So far in 2024...

One of the teams with the most changes coming into 2024 was Castleford Tigers as the club brought in new faces and new ideas on and off the field. 

Eleven arrivals defended the blow of 19 players moving on at the end of 2023, plus there were changes among the coaching staff as Craig Lingard stepped up into the head coaching role, having been part of Andy Last and Danny Wards' management team, and Danny McGuire joined him as assistant. The likes of Joe Westerman, Paul McShane and Jacob Miller were retained though, having been some of the club's top performers on the field over the last three years.

Round One proved a tough outing as Liam Marshall's two tries led Wigan to victory at the Jungle, but the Fords showed more fight a week later against Salford as they set up a tense finish in round two. Warrington and Huddersfield restricted the Tigers to only two tries in rounds three and four, and before the Challenge Cup break, Catalans Dragons posted 40 points at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

A 26-6 loss to the Rhinos in at the end of March continued a seven game losing run in the league for Lingard's side, before a performance inspired by Innes Senior's four tries helped them get off the mark against Salford. Losses to Wigan in the league and cup was met with resistance as the side continued to turn their season around with wins over London and Hull FC, as well as take a point away from Leigh Leopards in a 28-all draw at Leigh Sport Village.

St Helens walked to a 60-4 victory, but the Fords reacted again by putting Hull FC to the sword last time out after amassing a 30-10 lead after 60 minutes.

Squad

Ones to Watch

Innes Senior

13 tries in all competitions has seen Castleford throw their faith behind winger Innes Senior as he was one of a number of players offered new deals to stay with the Tigers for the next two years.

The former Giant and Wakefield player has hit the ground running since joining the club, notably recording four tries against Salford in the club's first win of the season. He was joined by brother Louis earlier this season too from Hull KR, and the duo have impressed Lingard and his staff enough to be part of the side's future going forward.

Liam Horne

Leading the tackle count for the Tigers this season is Liam Horne, who impressed during his time under Danny Ward to extend his stay in black and amber.

The 26 year-old has spent most of his career around the Intrust and Hostplus Cup with Norths Devils and Central Queensland, before arriving at the Jungle as one of a number of loan signings brought in to save Castleford's season last year. With 12 appearances so far this season, he has two tries (one of which came last time out against Hull FC) and his total of 349 tackles is the twelfth most in Super League in 2024.

Joe Westerman

Joe Westerman enters his 17th Super League season as one of the most experienced players in the Tigers' pack.

He returned to the club that gave him his Super League bow in 2022 and quickly became one of the side's key names with ball in hand. This season, he has two tries to his name and ranks in the Tigers' top five carriers, metre makers and third behind Horne and Elie El-Zakhem in tackles.

Fixtures

Round 13 - Vs Leeds Rhinos (AMT Headingley, KO 5.30pm)

Round 14 - Vs Wigan Warriors (Mend-A-Hose Jungle, KO 8pm)

Round 15 - Vs Hull KR (Mend-A-Hose Jungle, KO 8pm)

Round 16 - Vs St Helens (Totally Wicked Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round 17 - Vs London Broncos (The Kuflink Stadium, KO 8pm)

Stats Performers

Tries: Innes Senior (10 tries)

Try Assists: Tex Hoy (5 try assists)

Carries: Sam Wood (195 carries)

Metres: Innes Senior (1,857 metres)

Tackles: Liam Horne (349 tackles)

Post Contact Metres: Sam Wood (845 post contact metres)

Tackle Breaks: Innes Senior (45 breaks)

Offloads: Sam Wood (21 offloads)

Last Super League match

Don't miss Saturday's double header

Rhinos fans are treated to another double header on Saturday afternoon as Leeds Rhinos Women and Men's sides both take to the field at AMT Headingley, and fans get both games included in their match ticket.

Ticket prices start at £25 for adults, £20 for concessions and £13 for juniors, with prices rising by £3 on matchdays.

To buy tickets go to tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Tickets also available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop at AMT Headingley Stadium (CLICK HERE to check opening hours before travelling).