Castleford Tigers have named their new captain for the 2022 Super League season.
And, it will come as no surprise that it is their star hooker Paul McShane who takes over for retired Michael Shenton.
The Tigers’ star hooker is widely regarded as one of the Super League’s finest talents, being named the starting hooker in both England matches in 2021, and in 2020 he received the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award.
Entering his eighth season with the Tigers in 2021, McShane has now made over 300 career appearances, including 169 in Castleford colors since joining in the 2015 season from Wakefield Trinity.
McShane just becomes the 35and player in Castleford’s 96-year history to be named captain, following in the footsteps of former team-mate Michael Shenton.
Speaking on being named captain of Castleford Tigers, Paul McShane said: “I’m very proud to be able to represent this club, I’ve made no secret that I love playing for Cas and that drives me to do even better.
“When I spoke to my wife she said ‘You don’t understand how important this is’ but for me I just go out and play rugby with a bunch of guys that I have a lot of respect for, in a club that I love to play for. For me, it’s something that I’m going to love doing week after week.
Well respected by his teammates and opposing players, McShane reaffirmed that everyone involved in the first-team environment all shares the same affinity with Castleford Tigers and their beloved fan base.
“We have a big core of seniors here, but not just seniors too, I think everyone in the team is here to do a job and to enjoy playing for the club. I think it’s not going to be too difficult. to lead these guys.
“There’s a connection, I love coming to work every day driving down the main road and you see a Cas shirt – there’s nothing better than playing in front of these fans. Win or lose, they’ll It wasn’t so good when I played against Cas… but even then I loved coming to play here.
The Castleford hooker is the club’s first new captain since the 2016 season when Luke Gale replaced Michael Shenton who proudly captained the Tigers between 2013 and 2021, receiving an emotional send-off in his final game in September.
McShane says he learned a lot from Shenton’s management and will build on his own experiences with the modern Cas legend.
“Shenny is probably the captain I get on with the most and has gotten the most out of me. When I first came to see Cas, he kind of put an arm around me. For me, it’s probably about learning from what Shenny did when I arrived and trying to keep what he’s built within this group.
“I’ll probably stick with what I do, I’ve kind of had this leadership role for a few years now. I just know that I’m going to give it my all. »
In closing, McShane wanted to pay tribute to the Ford faithful as we embark on the #NewCasEra.
“Just thank you, keep doing what you are doing, especially for me, you have given me back the love of rugby. Thank you.”
Castleford Tigers head coach Lee Radford discussed the appointment of Paul McShane as captain of his team and said: “It was an easy decision I think his leadership qualities on the pitch are there for everyone and I think there’s development there as well as in his leadership off the pitch. He’s doing the right thing as a footballer, and the guys have so much respect for him around from him.
“He has all the qualities you would want in a senior guy on the pitch, I think he is tough, smart and has a never say attitude which helps. For this reason, the opposition respects him and his own teammates like to be on his side. I think he will succeed in this role.
