Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell has confirmed that Albert Goldthorpe Medal winner Luke Gale will be the club’s new captain in the absence of Michael Shenton.

Shenton will miss most, if not all, of the 2016 season following a serious ACL injury after a tackle during the draw with Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, and Powell admits the Tigers have got to pick themselves up from that loss and bounce back.

But in terms of the new skipper whilst Shenton is on the sidelines, Powell confirmed today that the role has gone to the main who was so influential for the Tigers in 2015.

“Luke will be our captain whilst he’s out,” said Powell. “It’s a good opportunity for him to show that he can lead this side with Michael not being there and prove he’s the right guy at the end of the year for England.

“It’ll give him another string to his bow if he can captain a side well.”

The nature of how we lost him is disappointing but we’ve got to get on with it, there’s no point dwelling on it. I’ve spoken to him and he’s in good spirit and he’s got a positive mindset about him – and now we’ve got to do the same. Jake Webster came on and replace Shenny and did well.