DARYL PROWL

Castleford coach says his written-off Tigers are happy to be silent hunters this season

CASTLEFORD coach Daryl Powell says his wounded Tigers are going under the radar ahead of today’s trip to Catalans.

Last season’s runaway League Leaders Shield winners have been written off as genuine title contenders by some this year after the departure of Zak Hardaker (right) and a host of injuries.

Powell was missing a dozen players against Wigan Warriors last week – but his side still found a way to win with Jamie Ellis’ late drop goal.

Now up to third, Cas are also five points clear of fifthplaced Hull FC in the crucial race for the top four. And with injured players returning to action each week, Powell is expecting his side to grow further in coming weeks. He said: “Everyone talked about Warrington this year and how fantastic they’re going and Wigan and how great they are. “No-one has really spoken about us and we’re in the mix.

“We’ve beaten Wigan and Warrington with a depleted squad and it’s awesome where we’re at.

“It’s credit to everyone at the club the character that’s been shown.

“We’ve had a lot of expectation on us this year based on what happened last year and we’ve had to work hard to manoeuvre the team around.

“I think we’ve shown a lot of belief and confidence that anyone who comes into the team will do a job for us.

“It’s good to have a lead over those outside the top four, but we want to stay consistent so we don’t have to call that into play.

“We want to be in there, winning week after week.

“I think if we can stay consistent over these next five games then going into the split we should be in an absolutely great position – and then it’s about going on with it. ”powell’s side have already been in France for two days as a break away from the current trend of flying in and out of Perpignan on match day.

He added: “Generally we go on the day which I’ve never been a fan of.

“So this time we came on Thursday to have a change in environment and I think that’s great. “Catalans are playing alright and battling and winning games – they have a lot of good players so they should be.

“They’ll be tough opposition.”

Powell is boosted by the return of Liam Watts, Jesse Sene-lefao, Oliver Holmes and Adam Milner to his squad, with Jy Hitchcox, James Green, Will Maher and Joe Wardle the four to drop out.

Catalans prop Sam Moa is still suspended and the Dragons are also without injured pair Antoni Maria and

Jodie Broughton, meaning back-rower Mickael Goudem and gets an opportunity to join their battle for the top eight.