THE SCALE of change at Castleford Tigers has been laid bare with eight new signings handed starting squad numbers for next season.
Ten of their total of 11 additions are in the top 17 with Castleford set to field a vastly different side under new head coach Ryan Carr than the one which finished last season under interim coach Chris Chester.
In a tumultuous year, Castleford relieved Danny McGuire of his duties after just 18 games in charge, with new director of rugby Chester seeing them home in 11th place in Super League while also plotting a significant rebuild.
The fruits of that are clear in the Tigers’ squad numbers, which include a new number one (Blake Taaffe, pictured), seven (Tom Weaver) and nine (Liam Hood).
Semi Valemei, Darnell McIntosh and Mikaele Ravalawa will wear two, four and five respectively in the backline while, in the pack, Renouf Atoni (eight) and Jordan Lane (11) are to the fore.
Fellow forward signings Brock Greacen and Jack Ashworth are 14 and 15 in turn, with Aiden Doolan (20) completing the new contingent.
Zac Cini (three), Daejarn Asi (six), George Lawler (10) and Alex Mellor (12) are the only players to retain starting shirt numbers, while mid-year arrival Joe Stimson has taken the 13 jersey from Joe Westerman, who moves to 16.
Castleford squad numbers: 1 Blake Taaffe, 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 Aiden Doolan, 21 Louis Senior, 22 Jason Qareqare, 24 Jenson Windley, 25 Sam Hall, 26 Alfie Lindsey, 27 Cain Robb, 28 George Hill, 29 Ramon Silva.