Castleford Tigers boss Ryan Carr has named a strong 23-man squad as 11 new signings set to feature against St Helens this weekend

Castleford Tigers boss Ryan Carr has named a strong 23-man squad that will travel to St Helens this weekend.

Forming part of Matty Lees’ testimonial, the Tigers will have their second warm-up fixture of the pre-season, after defeating Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.

However, both sides put out squads made up of reserve and academy players, meaning that Castleford’s senior squad is yet to have a proper run out.

The club were supposed to also have games against Featherstone Rovers and Oldham, but both those ties ended up being cancelled.

This weekend, will be Carr’s first real taste of life as Castleford boss, and he has named a talented squad for the contest.

All bar one player with the shirt numbers 1-13 are selected, with centre Zac Cini the only absentee. Otherwise, it is as strong a line-up the Tigers can get.

Blake Taaffe, Miakele Ravalawa, Semi Valemei and Tom Weaver, among a number of other signings, will make their unofficial debut for the club, whilst Sunday’s testimonial man Brad Singleton is also named.

Jack Ashworth will serve the fourth of his seven-match ban he picked up whilst playing for Hull FC. He will be free to play for his new club in round three.

Castleford Tigers squad to face St Helens: 1. Blake Taaffe, 2. Semi Valemei, 4. Darnell McIntosh, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Tom Weaver, 8. Renouf Atoni, 9. Liam Hood, 10. George Lawler, 11. Jordan Lane, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Stimson, 14. Brock Greacen, 16. Joe Westerman, 17. Chris Atkin, 18. Fletcher Rooney, 19. Brad Singleton, 21. Louis Senior, 22. Jason Qareqare, 24. Jenson Windley, 25. Sam Hall, 26. Alfie Lindsey, 30. Jimmy Beckett