Hull FC v Castleford Tigers: Three key head-to-head battles

There's a Yorkshire derby live on Sky Sports this Thursday as two unbeaten sides go head to head at the KC Stadium.

Daryl Powell's Castleford Tigers travel up the M62 to face a Hull FC side who've won their opening two games.

Here are three key battles that could decide the outcome:

Fetuli Talanoa v Denny Solomona

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Watch out for the two No 5s, who are in top form. It's three tries from two games for FC's Fetuli Talanoa, including two in their stunning win over the Catalans in France, while Denny Solomona has the same record for the Tigers so far. 

Despite a disrupted pre-season due to injury, former Rabbitoh Talanoa has started 2016 with a bang, and as well as his three tries, he was also the top metre-maker in Super League after two rounds. He's formed an exciting left edge with Carlos Tuimavave, the new centre from the Newcastle Knights; Talanoa's power combines well with the skills of Tuimavave.

Add Frank Pritchard's strong running from the second row into the mix on that side and there's plenty of potential for scoring opportunities down the left flank for Lee Radford's team. 

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But also watch out for Castleford's No 5 Solomona. He's got an eye for the spectacular and he was at it again against Wakefield, flying past Reece Lyne for another sensational score. That was one of two tries he scored in Castleford's first win of the season and he also crossed in the draw against Hull KR.

It will be interesting to see how many chances Solomona gets without injured skipper Michael Shenton playing inside him, but on the evidence of that Wakefield game, Jake Webster is capable of providing him with the ammunition. 

Two totally different wingers then, but both in fine scoring form so far. Look out for their finishing abilities on Thursday night. 

Marc Sneyd v Luke Gale

There's an interesting match-up at scrum half as Marc Sneyd comes up against his former Tigers team-mates and also the man who replaced him in Daryl Powell's side, Luke Gale. But while Gale lit up Super League in 2015 and forced his way into the England set-up, Sneyd had a slightly slower start in the Black and White.

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He did top the assist chart with 20, but all the talk from the Hull camp is that there's still more to come from Sneyd in 2016, and he certainly dazzled in that win over Catalans with two magical plays highlighting his ability.

One kick from dummy half set up Gareth Ellis and there was a neat cut-out pass in the build up to Fetuli Talanoa's second try; both perfect examples of what Hull FC need from their half-back if they're to challenge for trophies.

With 12 attacking kicks already this season, nine more than any of his teammates, Sneyd's kicking game will be vital alongside the experience and vision of Leon Pryce at stand-off. 

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Castleford know all about Sneyd though. He did star in their fourth-placed finishing side of 2014 while on loan from Salford, but Luke Gale signed from Bradford to replace him in 2015 and the Tigers fans would tell you they got an upgrade - 27 try assists last season saw Gale force his way into Steve McNamara's England squad and he was unlucky not to win a first cap in the series win over New Zealand.

So will he catch the eye of Wayne Bennett in 2016? On the evidence of the two games so far - definitely. Gale has five try assists already, including four against Wakefield, while he's produced 11 attacking kicks.

He's the key to Castleford's attacking game and will also captain the side for the rest of the season following Michael Shenton's injury. 

So will Castleford's star man step up on Thursday night? Or will Sneyd play a star turn against his former club?

Liam Watts v Andy Lynch

There are two big front rows going head-to-head this Thursday, so expect some good collisions between the packs. Key to Hull FC's go-forward is Liam Watts, who's formed a new front row partnership with Scott Taylor, a combination previously across the city at Hull KR. Castleford have the tried and tested combination of Andy Lynch and Grant Millington.

As for Watts, his 2015 form saw him unlucky to miss out on a place in Steve McNamara's England squad. An offloading machine, he threw 66 last season, a massive 30 more than any of his teammates and second only to the Rhinos' Adam Cuthbertson in Super League. Watts says he's targeting a place in the 2017 World Cup squad and he'll need to up his game again this season.

It's been a relatively quiet start to 2016 for him, just one offload so far, sixth on the metres made for FC and 15th on the average gain list. He's also missed 10 tackles, the most in the Airlie Birds' squad, so expect Watts to up his game as Hull FC look to get one over on the Tigers.

As for Castleford, they rely on the experience of Andy Lynch. The oldest player in Super League at 36, he's just signed a year's contract extension as well. Lynch outshone his teammates in terms of metres made last season, racking up an astonishing 3,589m over the campaign.

He also came third on the offloads list with 36. The prop missed the opening round draw against Hull KR following a hand operation in pre-season, but was back fighting fit against Wakefield, forming that formidable front row with partner-in-crime Millington. If the Tigers can keep Lynch fit, then expect the veteran prop to lead the way this season in the pack.

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