Captain's role can only benefit Luke Gale, says Daryl Powell, as Boudesma loses his appeal

LUKE GALE can use his surprise captaincy at Castleford Tigers to aid his international chances, according to Daryl Powell.
Castleford's Luke Gale.Castleford's Luke Gale.
Castleford's Luke Gale.

The scrum-half is set to take charge of the side for the majority, maybe all, of this season after gutted Michael Shenton ruptured his cruciate ligament in Sunday’s opening game at Hull KR.

As Castleford vice-captain, and having also worn the armband at previous club Bradford Bulls, Gale was the obvious replacement for Shenton.

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However, Powell also feels the experience will help persuade incoming England coach Wayne Bennett that the uncapped player can be his first-choice No 7 in the Four Nations at the end of the season.

Previous international boss Steve McNamara controversially left the 27-year-old as an unused squad member in last autumn’s Test series win over New Zealand.

“It’s a good opportunity for him to show he can lead this side with Michael not being there and prove he’s the right person at the end of the season for England,” said Castleford coach Powell.

“It’ll give him another string to his bow. If you can captain a side, it’s pretty helpful as a half-back hoping to play international.”

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In terms of Shenton’s replacement at centre, former Kiwi international Jake Webster came off the bench to score two tries in the 16-16 draw at Hull KR and he will start there against Wakefield.

But he also has Greg Minnikin available, the young centre signed last winter from York City Knights, who had hoped to take him back on loan.

That won’t happen now as Powell confirmed: “I certainly wouldn’t be tying him up for a month; he’d be the next cab off the rank.

“He’s looked pretty good in pre-season training and in the games that he’s played. I thought he was really good against Bradford.”

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Eorl Crabtree is the latest player to be struck in Huddersfield Giants’ injury-crisis, the club who are missing eight players for tomorrow’s match with Wigan.

The former England prop will discover today if he requires groin surgery and could miss up to six weeks while Sam Wood, 18, and trialist Jamie Foster will debut.

Captain Gareth Ellis is set to play his first game for Hull FC at Catalans on Saturday since the ex-England second-row snapped his Achilles last July.

Former Hull KR forward Rhys Lovegrove has been allowed to leave London Broncos to sign a one-month trial at Bradford Bulls.