Prop George Griffin, 33, says Tigers are out to ‘right some wrongs’ against Rovers
05:00, 09 Aug 2025Updated 09:16, 09 Aug 2025
Castleford Tigers’ George Griffin during the 40-0 hammering at St Helens.
George Griffin reckons Castleford can produce a remarkable turnaround and “right some wrongs” against leaders Hull KR today. Tigers were hammered 40-0 at St Helens just eight days ago, a stark reminder of how much work needs to be done at the Super League strugglers.
But having beaten Warrington in their previous outing, veteran prop Griffin knows they have big performances in them – and sees no reason why they can’t stun the table-toppers. They were only beaten in golden point extra-time on their last Craven Park visit in the season opener, although Willie Peters’ Rovers did annihilate them 48-0 in June.
Griffin, 33, said: “We didn’t have a great performance last week. We know that and we know it’ll be a tough day over at KR.
“But what a great opportunity to put in a performance and right a few wrongs. There’s no better way than against a team probably in their best form I’ve seen for some years now.
“They’re playing a great brand of rugby but if you’re going to rewrite things it’s best to do it against the best.
“We want to test ourselves. We’re under no illusions how hard it’ll be but we want to go out and get the spoils.”
Hardened forward Griffin, who has written two published children’s books in his spare time, started his career with Rovers in 2012, playing two seasons at the East Yorkshire club. He’s delighted to see them now competing for a first-ever Super League title having also just won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 45 years.
Griffin, who played in a Grand Final with Salford, admitted: “My time there at KR, it was a great club, really family orientated, and it’s gone from strength to strength since then. It sounds a bit daft but since that year in the Championship in 2017, they’ve just kicked on.
“I’ve a few friends at the club who speak very highly of the place.”
Castleford, though, are at the other end of scale and beginning their own rebuild having surprisingly sacked Danny McGuire last month. New director of rugby Chris Chester, the former Rovers boss, hopes to appoint a new head coach next week.
Griffin, now in his sixth season at Wheldon Road, said: “We haven’t performed for a few years, if I’m honest.
“We need to turn things around and that’s from the top all the way down. I think we are doing that now. We’ve got to finish this season but, in the bigger picture, over the next few years Cas should be back in play-off rugby.
“Given the new signings I’ve heard are coming in and the ambition of the new board, it seems to be going in the right direction.”
And Griffin has reacquainted with Chester having worked together at the Robins more than a decade ago. He said: “He was assistant to Craig Sandercock back then.
“It’s strange working with him again. We both went our separate ways a fair number of years ago. But it’s good. He’s trying to get some confidence back into the group.”
The return of ex-Hull full-back Tex Hoy from injury should bolster their chances today but Rovers have only lost three times all season. Griffin is out of contract at Castleford at the end of this campaign.
On the prospects of staying, he said: “We’re still talking at the minute. It’s a great place. We’ll see.”