CASTLEFORD TIGERS have named captain Alex Mellor and hooker Liam Hood in their 21-man squad for Sunday’s home derby with Wakefield Trinity.

Mellor has been out since February with a broken leg and was expected to still be out for a few more weeks, while Hood only had knee surgery a week ago.

But both are in a Castleford squad bolstered further by the return of forwards Joe Stimson and Jack Ashworth (both after head injuries) plus new loan signing Jake Thewlis, from Warrington Wolves.

Thewlis could take the place of Semi Valemei, who is out following a head knock of his own in last Thursday’s victory over Bradford Bulls.

Ashton Golding, who missed the Bradford game with a calf injury, also drops out of the squad alongside Jimmy Beckett – who has joined Goole Vikings on loan – and Jenson Windley.

A more settled Wakefield squad shows just one change as Mason Lino – who hasn’t appeared since the opening round of the Super League season due to a hamstring injury – replaces Jayden Myers.

The two clubs will play for the Adam Watene Trophy, named in honour of the former Castleford and Wakefield player whose death in 2008, aged 31, rocked the sport.

SQUADS

Tigers: 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, 20 Aiden Doolan, 22 Jason Qareqare, 23 Krystian Mapapalangi, 25 Sam Hall, 32 George Hirst, 33 Tom Forber, – Josh Thewlis

Trinity: 1 Max Jowitt, 2 Oliver Pratt, 3 Cameron Scott, 4 Corey Hall, 5 Tom Johnstone, 6 Jake Trueman, 7 Mason Lino, 8 Mike McMeeken, 9 Tyson Smoothy, 10 Ky Rodwell, 11 Seth Nikotemo, 12 Matty Storton, 13 Jazz Tevaga, 14 Jay Pitts, 15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 16 Caius Faatili, 17 Harvey Smith, 18 Isaiah Vagana, 20 Jack Sinfield, 23 Josh Rourke, 24 Tray Lolesio

Referee: Liam Rush

STATS

Last ten meetings:
Castleford 26, Wakefield 22 (SLR25, 5/9/25)
Castleford 8, Wakefield 32 (SLR10, 4/5/25)
(at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Wakefield 13, Castleford 12 (SLR8, 17/4/25)
Wakefield 12, Castleford 28 (SLR22, 18/8/23)
Castleford 16, Wakefield 4 (SLR8, 6/4/23)
Castleford 6, Wakefield 32 (SLR21, 29/7/22)
Wakefield 4, Castleford 34 (SLR8, 14/4/22)
Castleford 23, Wakefield 18 (SLR20, 21/8/21)
Wakefield 12, Castleford 18 (SLR10, 16/6/21)
Castleford 32, Wakefield 15 (SLR4, 21/2/20)

Super League summary
Castleford won 40
Wakefield won 23
Castleford highest score: 58-20 (A, 2015) (Widest margin: 56-16, MW, 2015)
Wakefield highest score: 54-16 (MW, 2008) (also widest margin)

GEORGE LAWLER needs one appearance to reach 200 for his career.
​- 94 for Castleford Tigers (2022-2026)
​- 103 for Hull KR (2015-2021)
​ – 1 for York City Knights (2017, dual-registration)
​ – 1 for Newcastle Thunder (2016, dual-registration)

MAX JOWITT needs 12 points to reach 1,000 for Wakefield Trinity.
– 78 tries, 338 goals (181 appearances, 2014-2026)

TOM JOHNSTONE needs two tries to reach 150 for his career.
​ ​- 103 for Wakefield Trinity (2015-2022, 2025-2026)
– 37 for Catalans Dragons (2023-2024)
​ – 1 for Featherstone Rovers (2015, loan)
​ – 7 for England (2018, 2023-2025)