Castleford will not be involved in 2018 World Club Series

Castleford Tigers have confirmed that they will not be involved in the Dacia World Club Series in 2018.

The Tigers won the League Leaders’ Shield in 2017 and made their first ever Super League Grand Final appearance later in the season.

As a result, it was hoped that the Castleford club would compete in the Dacia World Club Series next year.

But a number of NRL clubs are not willing to travel to the UK to compete in the two-game World Club Series and there will now only be one game, the Dacia World Club Challenge, as Super League champions Leeds Rhinos take on NRL Premiers Melbourne Storm in February.

Castleford have released a statement on the matter, it read: “Castleford Tigers are disappointed to learn that they will not be involved in a World Club Series fixture in February 2018.”

Tigers CEO Steve Gill added: “It’s disappointing and I understand all the frustrations from our fans and players alike, you set targets at the start of the year, only to find out late in the day, that it won’t be happening.

“We had heard that both the Melbourne Storm and Queensland Cowboys didn’t wish to travel and compete, which is a shame, and hopefully not a reflection on how they view our game in the UK. It is what it is and we shall use it as motivation to go that one step further in 2018.”