SL preview: Castleford v Leeds (Thu)

Castleford face a real test of their Super League top four credentials with the visit of Leeds in front of the TV cameras on Thursday night.

The Tigers have been one of the success stories of the 2014 season, racking up eight wins in their 11 league games so far, despite last weekend’s agonising one point defeat to Huddersfield.

Brian McDermott’s Rhinos have been white hot, particularly in defence, losing just once, and sit top of the Super League table having conceded less than 100 points all season, a remarkable effort of shipping on average less than nine points per game.

It marks a return to Headingley for Castleford coach Daryl Powell, who is also celebrating a year in charge at The Jungle.

Before his arrival, then coached by Ian Millward, Castleford pulled off a 14-12 victory over Leeds in this fixture in 2013.

They welcome back scrum-half Liam Finn in to the squad after he sat out the Huddersfield defeat, while Jordan Tansey and Ashley Gibson are also back.

Leeds are set to recall winger Ben Jones-Bishop, while utility forward Stevie Ward has also been added to the team that beat Wigan.

Prediction: It’s going to be an absolute cracker, but Leeds’ stern defence might prove just enough to see off Cas – Leeds win.

Castleford 19-man squad: Tansey, Dixon, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Sneyd, Lynch, Milner, Huby, Millington, Hauraki, Clark, Holmes, Mariano, Wheeldon, Ellis, Gibson, Channing, Finn.

Leeds 19-man squad: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton.

Milestones:

LUKE DORN needs three tries to reach 150 whilst in the British game. His total of 147 has been scored as follows: 109 for London Broncos/Harlequins (2005-2006 & 2009-2013), 12 for Salford (2007) and 26 for Castleford (2008 & 2014).

RYAN BAILEY needs one appearance to reach 300 for Leeds. Bailey made his Rhinos debut off the bench in a 36-32 win at Wakefield on 28 June, 2002.

ANDY LYNCH needs one appearance to reach 150 for Castleford. Lynch is in his second spell with the Tigers – playing 137 games in six seasons after making his debut off the bench in a 36-22 home Challenge Cup win against Hull FC on 14 February, 1999. He made his second debut in a 36-18 win at Bradford on 16 February, and has played 12 games in the 2014 season.

Last ten meetings:

Leeds 42, Castleford 24 (SLR18, 7/6/13)
Leeds 28, Castleford 12 (CCR4, 19/4/13)
Castleford 14, Leeds 12 (SLR2, 10/2/13)
Leeds 40, Castleford 22 (SLR18, 24/6/12)
Castleford 14, Leeds 36 (SLR5, 2/3/12)
Leeds 56, Castleford 0 (SLR24, 12/8/11)
Castleford 8, Leeds 10 (CCSF, 7/8/11) (at Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster)
Castleford 6, Leeds 48 (SLR13, 29/4/11)
Castleford 6, Leeds 38 (SLR25, 13/8/10)
Leeds 10, Castleford 24 (SLR1, 5/2/10)

Super League summary

Castleford won 11 (includes win in 1999 play-offs)

Leeds won 27 (includes win in 2000 play-offs)

2 draws

Castleford highest score: 38-20 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)

Leeds highest score: 76-12 (H, 2009) (also widest margin)