Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos: Playmaker Luke Gale seen as main threat by Rhinos

The West Yorkshire rivals meet at Wheldon Road with Castleford seeking to maintain their impressive form so far, a 44-16 destruction of promoted Leigh Centurions followed by a 30-20 success at Warrington Wolves.

The style of that latter win and the fact Warrington had just conquered NRL side Brisbane Broncos says plenty about why many people are viewing Tigers as potential title contenders in 2017.

Leeds, of course, are looking to restore order after last year’s woeful campaign and prove, once more, they are a side of Grand Final quality themselves.

They have won their last two fixtures after an opening loss at St Helens and are more than aware that, to secure a third, they must nullify Gale, the talented Leeds-born half-back who was once in their Academy but never played a first-team game.

It was at McDermott’s Harlequins, via an important stint with Doncaster, that Gale did eventually make his Super League bow in 2009.

After developing further at Bradford Bulls, he has come of age with Castleford and, at 28, made his long-awaited England debut in last year’s Four Nations.

“He was very young when he came down to London and was playing in a team on the back-foot a lot,” recalled McDermott, about the skilful player who now seems to relish facing Rhinos.

“But he had that element of being a genuine seven; that cockiness and an ability to control people around him.

“I’m not surprised he’s kicked on. He’s flying at the moment and I think he’ll be good for England if Wayne Bennett picks him at the end of the year and puts some faith in him and gets the team to play around him.

“One of England’s weaknesses over the last five or six years is the lack of a genuine six and seven that work together.”

McDermott added: “I think Cas are the best side in the comp right now. I know we’re only two games in but they’re a great attacking team.

“It’s hard to make an assessment of their defensive qualities because they take so much out of you on attack that the opponents don’t have much to throw at them. They’re flying at the moment and I can’t see anybody touching them just yet.

“Luke Gale’s your stand-out, he’s your man. But it’s not all about him. Zak Hardaker’s playing really well; he fits in with what they’re doing currently.

“Their forward pack work extremely hard for each other and well with each other with ball. They are a really well-balanced team on paper but play really well-balanced, too. It’s not all about Luke Gale, or Rangi Chase, or Zak.”

While many eyes will be on Hardaker, the England full-back on loan from Leeds, there will be no Chase after the maverick stand-off was dropped by his club after an internal investigation.

With his obvious replacement, Kiwi Benny Roberts, also sidelined by injury this week, there will be added pressure on Gale to organise and dictate.

Another former Leeds player, hooker Paul McShane, is likely to act as a makeshift half-back as he did with some effect last term but it will be intriguing to see if the hosts can still maintain their fluidity and attacking verve.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell said: “It’s important for us not to get too carried away.

“We are getting so many pats on the back at the moment and I think they are warranted, but you can’t afford to get dragged down by that.

“It’s important that you’re focused and if you turn up with a sloppy attitude then Leeds will certainly do a job on you.

“We’ve just got to make sure we lay the foundations, then play well. If we play well then we’re confident, there’s no doubt about that.”