As the end of the regular season closes in, Leeds Rhinos look to keep up pace with the top four as Brad Arthur looks to crown the announcement that he will be at the club in 2026 with a result against Castleford this Saturday.

The OneBore Stadium plays host to the second encounter between the Rhinos and Tigers 

Here's everything you need to know about our opposition, Castleford Tigers:

2025: Looking ahead to 2026

With six games left in the Betfred Super League season, Castleford Tigers can start preparations for 2026 as they look to install a new head coach in the coming months.

Now mathematically out of the running for a top six place, the Tigers have endured a tough campaign in which they have won five league games - their most recent coming against Warrington at the end of July. Starting the season with hopes of a turnaround as Danny McGuire began his first season in a head coaching role, Castleford opened the year by pushing Hull KR to golden point extra time, only to lose out 19-18 at Sewell Group Craven Park. From there onwards, it has tended to be the same story each week for the Fords as they've picked up points from strugglers Salford and Huddersfield, but have been unable to trouble those fighting at the top of the table.

Since the halfway point of the season, they bounced back from defeat against Warrington to take their fourth win of the season away from Hull FC thanks to tries from Tom Amone, Daejarn Asi, Innes Senior and Louis Senior. Round 15 kickstarted another losing streak though that saw Hull KR, Wigan and Huddersfield all inflict losses on the Fords and saw McGuire step down from his role.

Chris Chester had already been appointed as Director of Rugby earlier in the season from Leigh Leopards and took temporary charge whilst the search for a new coach began. During that time, Salford, St Helens and Hull KR kept the Tigers tenth in the league table, despite a surprise win over the Wolves, as eyes began to turn to preparing for the 2026 season. This week's game against Leeds is the third time the clubs have met in 2025, before Catalans host Castleford in round 23 as they too look to get back to winning ways. Leigh, Wakefield, Wigan and St Helens close out the season for the Fords, who only play once more at home after this weekend.

Round Twenty One Review

Key Names

Zac Cini - In his first season with the Tigers, former Parramatta centre Zac Cini has more carries and metres than any Tigers player after 21 rounds of Super League. He had standout games against the Giants in round nine when he carried the ball 12 times, and against Wakefield in round eight when he amassed 171 metres.

Alex Mellor - The Tigers' sole try scorer last time out saw Mellor take his tally to three for the season so far ahead of him facing his former club this Saturday. The back rower ranks amongst the Tigers' top five players for tackles, ball carriers and metre makers, plus he has been a regular figure in a changing Castleford outfit over the course of the campaign.

George Lawler - Still the Tigers' top tackler, George Lawler's defensive efforts sees the prop enter this weekend as Super League's third highest tackler with 778 this campaign. Only Jarrod O'Connor and Oli Partington have more than the Castleford man, who has made 40+ tackles in seven games this season - the most coming against Warrington in July (49 tackles)

Last Time Out

Ticket Information

Tickets are available to purchase online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk, over the phone on 0371 423 1315 and from Leeds Rhinos Ticket Office Transfer Windows (Opening Hours) now. Entry is priced at £27 for adults, £17 for concessions and from £5 for juniors.

Tickets will be available to purchase until 4pm on Friday 15th August (subject to availability).