Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos: Powell calls on Tigers to rediscover '˜best' form

Although they confirmed top spot just three games into the Super 8s, they have no intention of now slackening off as they seek to push on and reach a maiden Grand Final.

Castleford host second-placed Leeds tonight who they have already beaten three times this term and have not lost to since April 2015.

But Powell sees challenging their West Yorkshire rivals again plus all their remaining Super 8s games as perfect preparation for a potential future Old Trafford date.

“We have got Wigan next week and then Hull and we could easily come up against any two of those in the semi-final and final,” he said.

“They are really important games for us, one for momentum and two for playing against teams we are going to meet down the track and feeling confident.

“We are feeling confident at the moment, but in the last couple of games we’ve not been right at our best and this is a good time to start hitting our best form.”

Castleford rallied from 12-6 behind to win 24-16 at Huddersfield Giants last week but Powell admitted: “I thought we were a bit off.

“We were not at our best but we found a way to win and a couple of moments of class in the second half got us the win.

“A lot of improvement is needed and it is a big game for us this week. Playing against Leeds always is.

“We have had some pretty tidy performances against them recently and we will need another one, a really good effort.

“The last two against Leeds have been tough games; we’ve been able to come out on top, but there’s not been much between the teams for large parts of the match.

“Leeds have plenty of reasons to want to finish the season well and they are in the fight.

“I think they are a dangerous team and will challenge us so we need to be at our best.”

With that in mind, Powell has brought back rested England second-row Mike McMeeken and prop Grant Millington.