WIGAN WARRIORS have prop Ethan Havard back following a one-match suspension.
Havard and Jonny Vaughan are the only new faces in Matt Peet’s 21-man squad, replacing Harry Smith and Sam Walters who each picked up three-game bans following last Sunday’s tempestuous Challenge Cup quarter-final win at Wakefield Trinity.
Tom Forber, who featured in Castleford Tigers’ past two matches on loan, is also included in the Wigan squad for Sunday.
His absence, along with that of Joe Westerman and fellow loanee Jake Thewlis who is now back with Warrington Wolves, means Ryan Carr only has a 20-man squad.
Winger Semi Valemei returns following a knee injury while young halfback Jenson Windley is also named.
SQUADS
Warriors: 1 Jai Field, 2 Zach Eckersley, 3 Adam Keighran, 5 Liam Marshall, 8 Ethan Havard, 9 Brad O’Neill, 10 Luke Thompson, 11 Junior Nsemba, 12 Liam Farrell, 13 Kaide Ellis, 15 Patrick Mago, 17 Oliver Partington, 19 Jack Farrimond, 20 Sam Eseh, 22 Tom Forber, 23 Kian McDermott, 25 Taylor Kerr, 27 Lukas Mason, 28 Noah Hodkinson, 31 Jonny Vaughan, 32 Dayon Sambou
Tigers: 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, 20 Aidan Doolan, 22 Jason Qareqare, 23 Krystian Mapapalangi, 24 Jenson Windley, 25 Sam Hall, 32 George Hirst
Referee: James Vella
STATS
Wigan have won their last 14 meetings with Castleford.
The Tigers’ last victory against the Warriors was a 16-12 home win on 7 February, 2020.
Wigan have also won their last 11 home meetings with Castleford (including 2020’s fixture at Warrington).
The Tigers’ last victory at The Brick Community Stadium was a 38-20 Super 8s win on 17 September, 2017.
Wigan’s ZACH ECKERSLEY has scored tries in the Warriors’ last three meetings with Castleford (>1-1-2).
Last ten meetings:
Castleford 16, Wigan 26 (SLR1, 15/2/26)
Wigan 62, Castleford 6 (SLR26, 12/9/25)
Castleford 20, Wigan 26 (SLR16, 28/6/25)
Castleford 8, Wigan 10 (SLR14, 14/6/24)
Wigan 36, Castleford 14 (SLR8, 19/4/24)
Castleford 6, Wigan 60 (CCQF, 14/4/24)
Castleford 4, Wigan 32 (SLR1, 17/2/24)
Wigan 48, Castleford 6 (SLR26, 15/9/23)
Castleford 0, Wigan 36 (SLR3, 3/3/23)
Castleford 12, Wigan 32 (SLR14, 4/6/22)
Super League summary
Wigan won 49 (includes wins in 2002, 2009 and 2018 play-offs)
Castleford won 17 (includes win in 1999 play-offs)
3 draws
Wigan highest score: 62-6 (H, 2025) (also widest margin)
Castleford highest score: 54-4 (H, 2017) (also widest margin)
LIAM FARRELL needs one try to reach 150 for Wigan Warriors.
– (419 appearances, 2010-2026)