Castleford Tigers have dropped hints on who they see as their key players for the 2026 season with the confirmation of first team squad numbers.
Cas have gone for a different approach this time with the numbers being revealed one by one over the last month.
Newcomers take up many of the starting shirt numbers with eight of the close season signings handed one to 13 and the turn round being highlighted by only four players – Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi, George Lawler and Alex Mellor – retaining their jerseys from 2025.
Blake Taaffe comes in as the new number one, while fellow signings from down under Semi Valemei, Mikaele Ravalawa and Tom Weaver have been given starting numbers in the backs along with Darnell McIntosh, who has arrived from Leigh Leopards.
Among the forwards the two recruits from neighbours Wakefield Trinity, Renouf Atoni and Liam Hood, will be the new numbers eight and nine respectively.
Former Hull FC back rower Jordan Lane will wear the number 11 shirt while Joe Stimson, who arrived midway through last season, has been bumped up to number 13.
Of the Tigers’ other new signings, Brock Greacen will wear number 14, Jack Ashworth 15 and Aidan Doolan 20.
Castleford’s full squad is: 1 Blake Taafe; 2 Semi Valemei; 3 Zac Cini; 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; 15 Jack Ashworth; 16 Joe Westerman; 17 Chris Atkin; 18 Fletcher Rooney; 19 Brad Singleton; 20 Aidan Doolan; 21 Louis Senior; 22 Jason Qareqare; 23 Jimmy Beckett; 24 Jenson Windley; 25 Sam Hall; 26 Alfie Lindsey; 27 Cain Robb; 28 George Hill; 29 Ramon Silva
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