Daryl Powell expects Castleford to respond to loss


Castleford coach Daryl Powell is expecting a response to his side's first defeat of the season as they eye a return to the top of the Betfred Super League.

The Tigers were knocked off top spot thanks to their 13-12 loss to Salford last Sunday and replaced by Wigan but the reigning champions' home defeat by Hull on Friday night has opened up a glorious opportunity for Powell's men, who host Catalans Dragons in the only Super League match on Sunday.

Powell hopes his players can quickly learn the lessons from their surprise defeat at the AJ Bell Stadium and believes there is no better place than the Mend-a-Hose Jungle to right the wrongs.

"I sat down with the guys individually and had a chat about a few different bits and pieces," Powell said. "As long as you learn the lessons you should be better for it.

"We were clearly disappointed after Sunday but we're not going to throw the baby out with the bath water. We're still doing a lot of good things, we just need to fix that up straight away. Losses quickly get forgotten about when you win another game.

"We're back at home and we need to get back on track."

After beating two of last year's semi-finalists, Warrington and Hull, in their opening fixtures, the Dragons have gone three matches without a win but Powell is wary of the threat posed by the French club.

"It will certainly be a tough game for us," he said. "The Catalans are physical, they're a big team, and our pack will have to stand up this week, while the signing of Luke Walsh has given them two pretty smart halves."

Powell brings in former Warrington winger Joel Monaghan for injured leading tryscorer Greg Minikin while second rower Oliver Holmes is hoping to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury.

Powell has also added Rangi Chase to his 19-man squad after dropping him last month for disciplinary reasons and must decide whether to play him at stand-off or stick with Ben Roberts.

Catalans coach Laurent Frayssinous has veteran forward Louis Anderson back from injury and he replaces Mickael Simon in the only change to the team that lost at home to St Helens.

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