Ryan Carr is only just getting his teeth stuck into life as Castleford Tigers boss, but there are already some long-term retention decisions that he will need to address, with a number of key players coming off-contract at the end of the season.
Now we are in December, it means that any player with less than 12 months of their deal is free to speak to rival clubs about a move for 2027, something that the Tigers will want to avoid now that they have created a new-look squad ready to progress the club forward after half a decade of mediocrity.
In total, there are 12 players with contracts expiring at the end of 2026, and we have chosen the five most important from that list that Carr, Chris Chester and the club will see as their biggest priority.
Castleford Tigers five biggest contract decisions heading into 2026
Daejarn Asi
The playmaker performed admirably in 2025, and still managed to knock up 21 try contributions in the league albeit behind a squad that were often second best most weeks.
Forming a new spine partnership with Blake Taaffe, Tom Weaver and Liam Hood, Asi will be looking to increase that number, and if he does will surely making him a priority for Carr and co to get his signature for future seasons.
Zac Cini
The centre, who also spent time at full-back, is another player who didn’t show his full potential in his first year at the club. The former Wests Tigers and Parramatta man will be hoping that a new partnership with Mikaele Ravalawa will be a joyous one, and that he gets to show the talent he had as a youngster coming through the ranks down under.
Joe Stimson
Castleford’s mid-season signing was certainly a boost, with Stimson being one of the club’s best forwards in 2025. He will have a new position next year, after being handed the 13 jersey, with Joe Westerman moving to 15, suggesting that he will have a less prominent role next year.
Stimson has played in that role before, with his final match in the Queensland Cup before making the move to West Yorkshire seeing him play at loose forward, where he also scored a try and kicked three goals.
Jason Qareqare
Bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 2021, Qareqare is one of the brightest wing prospects in Super League, however injury has halted his development in recent seasons.
The Fijian international only played once in 2025, but after recovering from injury, a consistent season that is filled with opportunities should see him stay at the Onebore stadium for a few more years.
Louis Senior
For the first time in their career, the Senior twins will be appearing on different teams next year, after Innes moved to Leigh this off-season.
Louis though looks to be part of the club’s plans, and will be used as a depth option that can cover the centres, wing and even full-back. Whilst his Tigers future is perhaps more uncertain than the other four, he has averaged just over a try every other game in the top flight, scoring 46 times in 84 appearances.
Other Castleford Tigers players out of contract in 2026: Akim Matvejev, Brad Singleton, Cain Robb, Chris Atkin, Liam Hood, Sam Hall, Joe Westerman
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