{"id":589231,"date":"2025-11-23T18:16:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T18:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/589231\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T18:16:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T18:16:36","slug":"what-tex-hoy-leaving-means-for-castleford-tigers-as-key-talking-points-arise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/589231\/","title":{"rendered":"What Tex Hoy leaving means for Castleford Tigers as key talking points arise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Saturday saw Castleford Tigers confirm the release of Australian full-back Tex Hoy with the former Hull FC man officially leaving the Jungle after weeks of reports, but what exactly does it mean for the West Yorkshire club.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are plenty of key talking points to take from Hoy\u2019s release<\/a> but one of the major ones is that Castleford are not messing around when it comes to their squad-building under Chris Chester.<\/p>\n

Hoy is not the first and likely won\u2019t be the last contracted player to be released with Castleford having already seen the likes of Liam Horne, Innes Senior and Sam Wood all leave this off-season, despite being contracted for 2026.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s always significant when a club releases a player but that trio were established first team players with Horne a Papua New Guinean international and former player of the year, whilst Wood started the 2025 season as club captain.<\/p>\n

Hoy is another big profile name to leave the Tigers but their strong recruitment has in effect forced him out, showing that Castleford under Chris Chester\u2019s guidance as director of rugby and Martin Jepson\u2019s ownership are serious about progressing.<\/p>\n

What next for Castleford Tigers after Tex Hoy release<\/p>\n

Spine closer to being locked in?<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Hoy\u2019s exit confirmed, it removes one full-back from the equation but all is still not clear at Castleford.<\/p>\n

Blake Taafe and Tom Weaver<\/a> have been signed ahead of the 2026 season with Weaver expected to play in the halves, possibly alongside last year\u2019s overseas signing Daejarn Asi, or maybe even alongside Taafe.<\/p>\n

Taafe is more typically a full-back and has played in an NRL Grand Final in that role but with young Fletcher Rooney tied down long-term, there is clearly a vision and route for the youngster there. Hoy\u2019s exit doesn\u2019t confirm anything, especially with Jenson Windley a long-term option in the spine, but it means the lines are blurred a little less.<\/p>\n

What we\u2019re fairly sure of is the fact Liam Hood will be the starting nine with Aidan Doolan a depth option, as well as the likes of Cain Robb.<\/p>\n

Quota spot freed up<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arguably the most important thing for Castleford is that Horne\u2019s exit has freed up a quota spot meaning they could go back into the overseas market for another recruit, having already signed Taafe and Weaver, as well as Brock Greacen, Semi Valemei, Renouf Atoni and Mikaele Ravalawa as overseas players this year.<\/p>\n

Those six join Daejarn Asi, Zaci Cini and Joe Stimson but there\u2019s room for a tenth and obvious positions for Castleford to strengthen and add depth might be centre or more likely in the pack.<\/p>\n

Chris Chester worked wonders with overseas recruits whilst at Leigh and there is clearly a pull for overseas players to join the club, as evidenced by this transfer window, so it\u2019s one to watch at the Jungle.<\/p>\n

Super League switch for Hoy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Castleford confirmed Hoy\u2019s exit by stating that he was leaving to \u201cpursue opportunities elsewhere\u201d but we\u2019re not quite sure where that is yet.<\/p>\n

There is a chance it could be Super League with a number of clubs having quota spots available and also in need of a full-back. Catalans Dragons could be one of those sides with the French outfit not having much depth beyond youngster Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet.<\/p>\n

A return to Australia could also be on the cards because there\u2019s no doubt of Hoy\u2019s quality, it\u2019s just consistency that has lacked at times for the former Newcastle Knights man.<\/p>\n

Cas to cause an upset in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As referenced at the start of this piece, Castleford are showing real intent in their signings but also how they have shaped their squad and ruthlessly cut players.<\/p>\n

There is a clear vision which is something that the club haven\u2019t appeared to have had for a few years. A number of young stars such as Rooney, Windley and Cain Robb will add to their already established Super League players such as Alex Mellor, whilst this strong spate of recruitment gives plenty of reason to be excited.<\/p>\n

On the back of a number of disappointing seasons, there are reasons to be excited for the Tigers and the fact they seem to have an identity and a clear vision of who they want is one of those reasons.<\/p>\n

Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Castleford Tigers can confirm that Tex Hoy has been released from the final year of his contract to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.<\/p>\n

We wish Tex all the best for the future and thank him for his service to Castleford Tigers. pic.twitter.com\/wCJLPlrj5o<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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