Castleford Tigers suffer Suaia Matagi blow on eve of new season

The prop, 32, had been brought in on a season-long loan from Huddersfield Giants.

Castleford start against Warrington Wolves in a little over a fortnight’s time but coach Daryl Powell has also now kept Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, George Griffin and Greg Eden out of Sunday’s friendly against Hull KR as an ‘injury precaution.’

Jack Sanderson, the former Hull FC winger who made three appearances for Castleford last season, has joined Bradford Bulls for the 2021 campaign.

On recruiting the 22 year-old, Bradford coach John Kear said: “He can play one to five and can also kick goals so there is a number of plus points with bringing in a player like Jack.”

Kear will be far from delighted, though, that half-back Jordan Lilley will miss their Challenge Cup tie against Featherstone Rovers and their Championship opener against Sheffield Eagles.

The former Leeds Rhinos player has received a two-match penalty notice for a Grade C dangerous contact in Saturday’s friendly defeat to Swinton Lions.

Meanwhile, the RFL Board has said part-time teams in the Championship will not have to fulfil fixtures at Toulouse Olympique for as long as the UK Government quarantine regulations – which require players and staff to isolate for at least five days on their return from France – remain in place.

Toulouse’s home fixtures against Featherstone and Widnes Vikings, scheduled for May 1 and 8 respectively, are postponed.

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