James Clare not getting carried away by strong start with Castleford Tigers

The 28-year-old has scored three tries in three games after crossing twice in last Friday’s derby win over Wakefield Trinity.

The winger has now scored seven tries in his last three appearances against Trinity and wants to be just as clinical when Castleford travel to Hull KR this evening.

“It is always nice to score tries but it is the opportunities created and taken that I want to look at,” said Clare, who scored 19 times in 27 games last campaign.

“It is no good scoring 10 tries and bombing or ruining 10 before that.

“If I get five opportunities, I want to score all five of them.

“Super League is at the level now where defenders are hard to break down.

“The chances created, you have got to nail them every single time.”

Clare admits that the Tigers have got to be ready for “absolutely everything” at Hull College Craven Park against a Robins outfit with one win from four games this season.

KR beat Wakefield in their opening match of 2020 at the end of January but have lost their last three outings, losing to Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants.

“They are a good team and Tony Smith is a great coach,” added Clare.

“I know they have had a few defeats and have been a little bit loose but the things they do with the ball are tricky things.

“It is not the kind of structure that everybody is used to in rugby league these days.

“They are doing some really, really good things and some tricky things as well. You have got to expect absolutely everything.”

The Tigers are expected to welcome back Adam Milner and Jesse Sene-Lefao for tonight’s fixture in East Yorkshire.

And Clare feels that the Tigers’ strong start without some of their key men highlights the depth within the squad this season.

“We have got massive strength in depth and the players we have got coming back are all international players. They are not just good players for Cas but at international level as well,” he said.

“They are really senior figures as well and they drive standards more and more.

“And hopefully they can do well in these games and prove Powelly (head coach, Daryl Powell) right by coming straight back into the team.”

Castleford’s win over Wakefield was their 14th-successive victory over Trinity with their last defeat coming five years ago.

Clare added: “It’s always special. They are the games you do want to win and the ones for the fans as well.

“You want to win every game but we had been speaking about bragging rights throughout the week and leading up to the game; it’s an extra special one.”