Yorkshire derby in Newcastle as Castleford Tigers face Leeds Rhinos

Castleford Tigers will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce and further increase their chances of making the Betfred Super League play-offs at the end of the season when they travel to Newcastle to face the Leeds Rhinos at the Magic Weekend.

Rugby League once again returns to the North East as the Magic Weekend takes place in Newcastle at St James’ Park for the sixth time.

The annual ‘festival’ of rugby league will see six fixtures spread across two days and will make for an exiting spectacle for all involved.

For Castleford Tigers they will be hoping that previous success at the event will swing in their favour once again in 2022 as they face rivals Leeds Rhinos.

Lee Radford’s side head into this weekend off the back of a spike in form having won their last three Super League fixtures putting in an impressive display against a Huddersfield Giants side who had the opportunity to jump up to second in the standings.

Defence was on point for the West Yorkshire side with Derrel Olpherts, Jake Trueman and Jake Mamo all finding the try line as the Tigers came away with a 26-18 win despite a late rally by the Giants.

Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos have changed their season around under near coach Rohan Smith.

One win from seven games saw Richard Agar leave as head coach before Smith linked up after an extensive search by Rhinos owner Gary Hetherington.

Last week saw the Rhinos put in their best performance of the season in a 62-16 demolition of Hull FC which saw winger Ash Handley score five tries at the MKM Stadium.

Castleford and Leeds will meet for the third time this weekend in the North East having clashed in Round Nine of Super League and in the Challenge Cup with the Tigers coming away victorious on both occasions.

This weeks meeting will be third time the two sides have faced each other at the ‘Magic Weekend’ with Castleford once again winning both previous meetings.

Having won three on the spin Lee Radford’s side now sit fifth in the Super League table chasing another play off spot having missed out last season on the final day having lost to the Warrington Wolves.

For the Rhinos they will be looking to take a step closer to making the top six as they currently lie 9th in the standings with thirteen points.

TEAM NEWS

Castleford Tigers will be without Paul McShane and Nathan Massey who have both picked up one match suspensions following the win over the Huddersfield Giants last week.

Prop forward Liam Watts is available for selection once again following a suspension and Alex Sutcliffe is back in contention having picked up a knee injury at Easter.

Zane Tetevano, Tom Holroyd, Bodene Thompson, Muizz Mustapha and Harry Newman will all miss this weekends fixture having been suspended.

Club captain Kruise Leeming will also sit on the side-lines having picked up a foot injury in the game with Hull FC.

Leeds Rhinos 21 man squad: 2. David Fusitu’a 4. Liam Sutcliffe 5. Ash Handley 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Mikolaj Oledzki 10. Matt Prior 11. James Bentley 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Zane Tetevano 14. Brad Dwyer 16. Richie Myler 17. Cameron Smith 21. Morgan Gannon 22. Sam Walters 24. Jarrod O’Connor 25. James Donaldson 26. Corey Johnson 28. Corey Hall 32. Jack Sinfield 33. Zak Hardaker

Castleford Tigers 21 man squad: 1. Niall Evalds 2. Derrell Olpherts 4. Jake Mamo 5. Bureta Faraimo 7. Danny Richardson 8. Liam Watts 10. George Lawler 11. Kenny Edwards 12. Adam Milner 13. Joe Westerman 15. George Griffin 17. Mahe Fonua 21. Alex Sutcliffe 22. Daniel Smith 23. Greg Eden 24. Cheyse Blair 25. Suaia Matagi 28. Brad Martin 33. Jason Qareqare 37. Alex Mellor