Men

2026 Season Review: Castleford Tigers

2 hrs

Testing Tigers. All change at Castleford again after a frustrating year.

Trying to fully assess Castleford Tigers’ 2026 season could take up the best part of a short novel, never mind a single side of A4.

This was a campaign in which the Tigers won away at League Leaders Wigan, beat second placed Leeds in a July home thriller and put St Helens to the sword at a time when Saints were top of the pile.

But the overriding feeling among Castleford supporters at the end of the year is one of considerable disappointment, as the Tigers finished in 13th position, parted company with coach Ryan Carr and and conceded the most points in the entire competition.

What had started as a campaign full of promise under the newly-appointed Carr and with a host of new signings, gradually fell apart and finished with a crushing defeat at 12-man Huddersfield that left assistant boss Luke Robinson apologising to supporters.

One of the Tigers’ high profile new recruits Blake Taaffe lasted just one game before seeing his season finished by injury, a fate that also befell his promising fullback replacement Fletcher Rooney the following week.

But unlike some other clubs around them in the table it would be difficult to pin the Tigers’ struggles primarily on injuries.

After the stirring home win over Leeds it looked as though Carr was starting to have the desired impact on his squad, who were up to tenth and looking at a late season push up the table.

But just two weeks later after a heavy loss at Warrington, Carr was “stood down” by the club and a fortnight later he had left for “personal reasons”.

“We have had a difficult set of circumstances to deal with and unfortunately not been in a position to provide more information to the fans,” club owner Martin Jepson said at the time. “However, our actions have been, and always will be, in the best interests of the club.”

Director of Rugby Chris Chester took charge, assisted by Jason Netherton and Robinson, but barring a gritty away win at Hull FC, the season ended on a frustrating note.

The year also saw the Tigers lose all three clashes against local rivals Wakefield by an aggregate score of 20-134, including a demoralising defeat at Magic Weekend.

There were undoubted highlights within the squad however, particularly exciting left wing partnership of Jason Qareqare and Kristian Mapapalangi who terrorised opposition defences at time during the season.

Joe Stimson, Alex Mellor and George Lawler were hard working members of the pack, but not even a cluster of mid-season signings could have the desired impact.

With newly appointed head coach Paul Rowley and an influx of established names from the NRL set to arrive, the Tigers faithful will be hoping for better times ahead in 2027.

TOP TEAM-MATE

Joe Stimson, the Australian utility forward stood tall throughout the trials and tribulations of the Tigers’ season with and without the ball.

YOUNG GUN

It was a breakout year for gifted centre Krystian Mapapalangi with only fellow rising star Jason Qareqare touching down more times, and his contract extension was a major boost for Cas supporters.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

The Tigers thrilled a packed OneBore Stadium with a gripping 36-34 Round 19 win over local rivals Leeds, and Qareqare touching down twice in the memorable victory.