Powell wants power from Cook

Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell is hoping that Matt Cook can add some physicality and strength to his forward pack.

Cas travel to St Helens on Friday night having not beaten Saints at their own place since December 1992.

Powell is hoping for a big display from Cook, who is set to make his Tigers debut at Langtree Park.

“This is a good opportunity for Cooky,” Powell said.

“Physically he’s great, a big solid guy, and we’re going to need to be real physical this week so this is a good opportunity for him.

“I’m challenging the pack on a regular basis, verbally up to now, but there’s a little bit of selection in there now too.

“We’ve got a deep squad. Frankie Mariano and Lee Jewitt haven’t figured yet, we’ve competition for places and that’s what’s drove us in the past and has got to drive us again this year.

“We’re looking for standards to improve consistently. This is a great opportunity to prove we’ve got a little something about us.

“People are probably writing us off at the minute but we’re in there and, I think, looking better physically and defensively so far than we did for large periods of last year.”