Castleford's bitter-sweet homecoming for hero Orr

However they welcome him back today, Castleford fans will wish in their hearts that Danny Orr's return to The Jungle was not a mere flying visit. Orr, club captain and hometown hero, left many supporters bitter when he left The Tigers at the end of last season and tonight's is his first visit as a Wigan player.

However they welcome him back today, Castleford fans will wish in their hearts that Danny Orr's return to The Jungle was not a mere flying visit. Orr, club captain and hometown hero, left many supporters bitter when he left The Tigers at the end of last season and tonight's is his first visit as a Wigan player.

Cas knew they would miss him, but they scarcely imagined how much. Their two major halfback signings, Ryan Sheridan and Sean Rudder, are both injured and there are six others missing from a squad looking for an unlikely first Super League win of the season.

Their caretaker coach, Gary Mercer, has four teenagers - with a total of one substitute appearance in Castleford's first team - in that squad and is in desperate need of the sort of inspiration that Orr used to provide. Not that Orr has had an easy ride at his new club, where he has found that fitting into an injury-affected side presented some problems.

"It was just a matter of time," Denis Betts, the Wigan assistant coach, said. "He's a great character to have around. His training has been 100 per cent and he has fitted in very easily." Orr has been helped by the return from a knee reconstruction of Adrian Lam, who continues his comeback with his second full game. Mick Cassidy returns to the pack, with Gareth Hock dropping to the bench and Desai Williams keeping his place on the wing.

Castleford, meanwhile, are bringing in in the former Paris- St Germain coach Dave Ellis on a one-day-a-week basis to work on individual skills.

The two defeated Cup semi-finalists meet tomorrow at Warrington, where the home side could be without Mark Gleeson and Mike Forshaw against Huddersfield. Widnes hope to continue their recent improvement at Wakefield, while Salford face a formidable task in trying to break their losing streak at Hull. Salford hope to have their new Australian signing, Kevin McGuinness, in the country in time for next Saturday's match against the London Broncos.

Bradford expect to have Robbie Paul back from the ankle sprain he suffered playing for New Zealand last week for Monday's match at London, but have a doubt over Lesley Vainikolo who has face and throat injuries.

Bryan Noble of Bradford is set to be confirmed as the new Great Britain coach next week.