Generous Hull are hoping to have Last laugh

ANDY LAST is praying Hull’s act of generosity doesn’t come back and bite them against Castleford today.

Hull stepped into the breach with less than 24 hours notice when the Tigers were forced to pull out of a game 10 days ago because of coronavirus.

Hull offered to play the fixture against Leeds, as part of the game’s determined bid to keep the season alive and keep repayments to Sky to a minimum.

They lost 40-22 and then had to get back up earlier this week against Huddersfield, winning 18-16 in a tough battle.

Castleford, who were forced out of action after three players tested positive for Covid-19 and seven players were put in self-isolation, have not played for more than two weeks.

Hull boss Last (right) said: “Castleford are going to be fresh. We’ve done them a favour by giving them two weeks’ preparation time. It should be a ding-dong game.”

Castleford have struggled for form since the restart, losing seven of their eight games, including to Hull in both the Challenge Cup and Super League.

Coach Daryl Powell said: “I am not worried. We have just got to hang tough.”

Albert Kelly and Manu Ma’u are back for Hull, while Cas are boosted by the return of half-backs Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson.