SL Preview: Hull KR v Castleford

Hull KR begin a run of home games looking to make up for their horrendous defeat at the hands of Hull FC at Magic Weekend.

That loss did much to crush the optimism that was beginning to be a feature of Rovers, after they appeared to have overcome injury problems to remain in the hunt for a top eight finish.

Albert Kelly and Shaun Lunt return to the Rovers squad after being out with hamstring and back injuries.

Youngster Sonny Esslemont drops out.

Castleford themselves have not enjoyed the same sort of season as 2014, but they are still there or thereabouts in the table, and have the players to score from all over the pitch.

Scott Moore misses out for Cas with concussion, but stand-off Ben Roberts is back, following the birth of his child.

Prediction: Home advantage sees Rovers over the line, just, by six points.

Hull KR (19-man squad): Blair, Boudebza, Campese, Cockayne, Cox, Dixon, Donaldson, Green, Greenwood, Kelly, Larroyer, Lunt, McCarthy, Mantellato, Ollett, Puletua, Salter, Sio, Welham.

Castleford (19-man squad): Clare, Webster, Shenton, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, Milner, Millington, O. Holmes, Massey, Boyle, Moors, Solomona, Finn, Tansey, Channing, McMeeken, Gibson, Maher.

Stats:

Michael Shenton needs three tries to reach 150 for his career. Shenton has scored 124 tries for Castleford (2004-2010 & 2013-2015), to go with 20 for St Helens (2011-2012) and three for England (2008-2011 & 2014). He also needs four points to reach 500 for Castleford. Shenton’s total of 496 has been reached with 124 tries in 228 games for the Tigers (2004-2010 & 2013-2015).

Super League Summary:

Hull KR won 8
Castleford won 7
Hull KR highest score: 70-12 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)
Castleford highest score: 54-12 (H, 2014) (also widest margin)

2015 Meeting:

Castleford 25, Hull KR 4 (SLR10, 11/4/15)