Super League: Castleford prop Andy Lynch relishing test against St Helens

The visit of Super League table-toppers St Helens presents Castleford with a glorious chance to prove their early-season form is no flash in the pan, according to veteran prop Andy Lynch.

The Tigers have shrugged off the departure of Rangi Chase to gain six wins from their opening seven matches, including one over reigning champions Wigan, and a victory by nine points or more over Saints on Friday night would take them top of the table.

"I think a lot of people wrote us off early on but we've had confidence in us from day one," said Lynch, who returned at the start of the season for his second spell with his home-town club.

"At Cas, we've got no superstars, we're just a real close-knit, hard-working team.

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Quality

"When we played Wigan it was a stepping stone for us and we came through that. This is going to be a massive game to see whereabouts we are at this time of the year.

"They have quality in their side from one to 17 but we're looking forward to it. It's a match we can definitely win."

The top two are in action on a busy night in Super League as clubs gear up for a hectic Easter programme.

Wigan can climb into the top four for the first time this year with a home victory over win-less London Broncos, Iestyn Harris returns to Bradford for his first match in charge of Salford and Hull KR and Wakefield both bid to avenge last Sunday's Challenge Cup defeats with re-matches against Warrington and Leeds.