Hull FC v Castleford preview
Castleford's former Hull centre Ben Crooks says he will have a point to prove when he runs out against his old club at the KC Stadium on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old had the world at his feet two years ago after being named Super League's young player of the year and earning a place in the 2013 Dream Team alongside his prolific wing partner Tom Lineham.
But his form deserted him in 2014 and, after spending the second half of the season on dual registration at Doncaster and losing his enjoyment for the game, he quit the Black and Whites to try his luck in Australia.
Crooks' fortunes failed to improve with the move, however, and after failing to break into Parramatta's NRL team, he returned to Super League on a three-year deal with his home-town club Castleford.
Now, two games into the season and with his enthusiasm renewed, he is relishing the prospect of facing his old club.
"It was the very first fixture I looked out for," said Crooks. "I haven't been back to the KC since I left. I'm glad it's come early so I can get it out of the way and crack on with the rest of the year.
"It wasn't ideal how it ended but there's no hard feelings. Now I've come back from Australia, I'm really enjoying my rugby again and I'm just looking forward to going back there and showing what kind of player I actually am."
Hull were 11th in Super League when Crooks left them 18 months ago but Castleford coach Daryl Powell is not surprised to see them sitting top of the embryonic table after winning their opening two matches in emphatic fashion.
"I thought they would go well," Powell said. "If you look at their recruitment, you have got to say it has been pretty good. They were really good against Catalans and they put Salford away pretty easily.
"This is our biggest test so far. We have talked a lot about top four and these are the defining moments when you play against teams like this, even though it is still early days."
Powell has named an unchanged 19-man squad as they look to build on their 40-6 win over Wakefield in round two, while Hull include Jordan Abdull after he scored two tries for dual-registration club Doncaster last Sunday.
Castleford Tigers: Matt Cook, Ben Crooks, Luke Dorn, Luke Gale, Ryan Hampshire, Oliver Holmes, Lee Jewitt, Andy Lynch, Nathan Massey, Mike McMeeken, Paul McShane, Will Maher, Grant Millington, Adam Milner, Junior Moors, Joel Monaghan, Ben Roberts, Jake Webster.
Hull FC: Jordan Abdull, Josh Bowden, Gareth Ellis, Chris Green, Danny Houghton, Jack Logan, Sika Manu, Steve Michaels, Mark Minichiello, Frank Pritchard, Leon Pryce, Jamie Shaul, Marc Sneyd, Fetuli Talanoa, Scott Taylor, Jordan Thompson, Carlos Tuimavave, Danny Washbrook, Liam Watts.
