Castleford Tigers v Hull FC - Scott Taylor back to lift Airlie Birds into form

Taylor faces Castleford Tigers six months after his last outing – the ill-fated loss against Warrington Wolves that cost coach Lee Radford his job in March just before the sport shut down.

But Taylor, 29, has been troubled by the injury for some time saying he took a “real bad whack” to his back two years ago.

He felt during lockdown, away from the heavy contact, matters would improve, and explained: “It did feel better but I took a bit of a hit on our first contact session back and it was a good one; I felt it. It stuck with me really bad for a day or two and that’s when I realised I couldn’t even really run, move or do anything.

“That led to the sit-down chat about needing to get it sorted. I’m only 29 and have three more years at Hull FC with a lot to give.

“I’ve been going into games at 60-70 per cent and been capable. But when you’re at 20, 30 or 40 per cent and know there’s lads who could do a far better job than you in the physical shape you’re in, that was time to think I need to hold my hand up and get sorted.”

Hull’s vice-captain, who helped them to successive Challenge Cup final wins in 2016 and 2017, added: “It set me back massively. I had to see a specialist and managed to get a sort of epidural to clear a lot of the rubbish away; not painkilling, just a real strong steroid. There’s a bit going on there at the bottom of my spine.

“Then it was about me getting strong enough and not being in pain and I’m at that point now. There’s been injuries where it can’t really get much worse and you play on. But when it’s your back and it’s an ongoing thing – and it took a big step like it did – you need to think about your health, life and your future

“I had to have that reality check and talk with (head coach) Andy Last and with the physio. I even spoke to (owner) Adam (Pearson) and he massively understood and knew my welfare was paramount.

“It’s been a long and a tough road but I’m just happy to be back. I’m really confident I’ve got past it. I’ll have to look after it for the rest of my career, make sure I’m doing my hour or two of rehab before and after training.

“But, at this stage, I definitely don’t need surgery.”

Taylor’s return is a welcome boost for Hull who have been infuriatingly inconsistent since Super League resumed and need to avoid a third straight loss.

He leads the side as captain Danny Houghton drops out with an ankle problem and centre Josh Griffin has his own back issue.

But scrum-half Marc Sneyd does return, in stark contrast to Castleford who saw main half-back Jake Trueman fail to 
get through yesterday’s final session.

The Great Britain tourist is another player suffering from back problems and this is the fifth straight game missed; it is no surprise they have lost six of seven games since lockdown ended.

Coach Daryl Powell remains without his other playmakers Danny Richardson and Pete Mata’utia so Castleford – back home at Wheldon Road for the first time since March – will look to yet another makeshift partnership as they seek to get their own season back on track.

Tigers were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Hull recently while Powell has also been asked by the RFL to explain his recent comments about the standard of refereeing in Super League.

He said: “I don’t think I was bad towards any particular referee; I just talked about them improving and I’ve got to answer those issues.

“I think everybody should want to improve. You can’t hide behind anything. I know I can’t as a coach. That was my main point; we’re all looking to get better in rugby league and, even though it’s tough times, you should still be judged on what you do and not everybody is, unfortunately.

“I don’t think I ever bring the game into disrepute – (although) I shouldn’t have walked on the field here a couple of years ago!

“I always do everything I can to help the sport of rugby league and I’m offended that whoever it is thinks that I don’t.”