The Tigers have made eleven signings for 2026 and a whopping eight of them have been handing numbers in the starting XIII, signifying what a major change the club have undergone for the upcoming season.

Ryan Carr has been brought in as head coach and the recruitment under director of rugby Chris Chester has also ramped up with five of those eleven signings coming from the NRL.

Domestic recruits have seen two arrive from each of Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC, whilst Leigh Leopards’ Darnell McIntosh and former Warrington man Aidan Doolan have also been signed up.

They all add to a squad that has talent such as Alex Mellor and rising stars like Fletcher Rooney and Alfie Lindsey, making the Tigers an exiciting side to watch in 2025.

Castleford Tigers lock in 2026 squad numbers

Throughout all of December, Castleford have been teasing their squad numbers in reverse order with the first couple of days revealing multiple numbers, before then revealing one number per day.

With today being Christmas day, the 25th day on the advent calender, they have confirmed the last of those players with Blake Taafe handed the number one shirt as was expected.

Taafe has featured in an NRL Grand Final in the position and is one of four new recruits in the club’s back line alongside Semi Valemei (two), Darnell McIntosh (four) and Mikaele Ravalawa (five).

Other new recruits to take starting numbers include Tom Weaver (seven), Renouf Atoni (eight), Liam Hood (nine) and Jordan Lane (11).

The remaining new recruits of Brock Greacen, Jack Ashworth and Aidan Doolan take 14, 15, and 20 respectively.

Young star Fletcher Rooney has a shirt just outside the top 17 though he’ll be sure to get plenty of game time wearing the number 18 in 2026.

Former captain Joe Westerman was a significant name to drop out of the top XIII and he takes number 16 with fellow veterans Chris Atkin and Brad Singleton taking 17 and 19.

Number 23 has been left vacant, possibly a hint at a future signing, but the remaining 28 squad numbers can be seen below.

Castleford Tigers 2026 squad numbers

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 – TBC

24 – Jenson Windley

25 – Sam Hall

26 – Alfie Lindsey

27 – Cain Robb

28 – George Hill

29 – Ramon Silva