Coach Powell is aiming for a capital return from the Tigers

He will be back there today but as Castleford Tigers head coach, of course, and bidding to secure the Super League club’s second successive win for only the first time since April last year.

Powell, who took over at Wheldon Road earlier this month, secured his first success with an emphatic 49-24 win over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Magic Weekend a week ago.

The former Great Britain international has already set high standards, however, and that encouraging triumph – full of such vim, vigour and class – will count for little unless he witnesses further improvements this afternoon.

Bedraggled London may be rock bottom and have conceded 110 points in their last three league games alone but they are only two points behind the visitors from West Yorkshire, who can easily be dragged back down to the foot of the table.

Equally so, though, Powell knows another Castleford win will take them level with Wakefield in 10th and in sight of a surge to the play-offs which would have been unthinkable not so long ago.

When Powell took Championship high-fliers Featherstone to the capital last month, they actually led at half-time in the Challenge Cup fourth round tie before eventually succumbing 24-12.

“I took some things from that game in that I learned a bit about London and had a good look at them but it won’t mean anything for this,” he told the Yorkshire Post. “This is about us (Castleford) being up to our standards again and improving once more. I think we’ll need to do that to beat this London side but we’re looking forward to that challenge.

“Getting back-to-back victories is a good way to start building what we want to achieve with Cas.”

The early signs are promising; anyone who was at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium last Saturday had to be impressed by the manner in which Powell’s side not only created so many opportunities but also protected their own line with renewed enthusiasm.

Tigers, so disorganised at times under previous coach Ian Millward, looked far more rounded and able in their roles.

It is no surprise the same 17 is set to be named today if, above all else, to hone those positive steps.

“That’s important but also we’re looking to develop some competition for places,” added Powell.

“People are really working hard to stay in there and they need to know they have to.

“We’re looking for some consistency now week to week.

“I was really pleased with what we did against Wakefield. We started exceptionally well and defended much better, too.

“We played some outstanding attacking rugby league and overall it was a real good performance.

“I was happy we won that game as it was important but we now have to build on that confidence in London.”

Their erratic hosts may have only won one of their last nine Super League fixtures but that dismal run was actually preceded by a 26-12 victory at Castleford on March 17.

The Tigers coach, pictured below, has reminded them, too, of their opponents’ individual quality.

Former England centre Tony Clubb returns today and also takes over as captain from wily veteran Australian scrum-half Craig Gower who, remarkably, was playing when 47-year-old Powell was still running around but who has lost none of his cutting edge.

London are shorn of three of their backline vanquished by Catalan in Manchester but can call upon the dashing Luke Dorn, who Castleford know well after his 2008 season in their colours, plus returning former Wigan winger Chris Melling and State of Origin prop Antonio Kaufusi.

“They are a side with lots of quality and lots of international players within their ranks,” he conceded.

“London have a few of them back this week so they’re certainly going to be a threat.

“But Super League games are supposed to be tough and we just have to concentrate on what we do.

“I’m more interested in the way we go about things.

“If we get that right we can let London worry about us.”

If victory is secured, can Castleford really still gatecrash the top eight?

“I’m not one for looking too far ahead,” maintained a measured Powell.

“It’s most important we just keep chipping away. But If we play well and get some consistency we are a difficult team for anyone to play against and teams will start looking over their shoulders.

“But we have to be on it every week and that’s the challenge.”