Mike McMeeken wants to show Castleford what they helped create – by chasing them

MIKE McMeeken hopes all of Castleford’s hard work comes back to haunt them – because they were the ones who developed him.

The Catalans forward admits he was wet behind the ears when he left London for West Yorkshire.

Now he is a regular in England and wants to inspire the Dragons to go one better than their Grand Final defeats in 2021 and 2023.

And if he pulls off a win today, the Tigers can take some of the credit – and there are more similarities between the mining town and the south of France than you might think.

He said, perhaps hinting at his future as he is linked with Wakefield and a reunion with former boss Daryl Powell: “Castleford was massive for me.

“I came from London as a 20-year-old who was pretty much a novice in gaming advertising and probably didn’t realize how much potential I had.

“But the way Daryl coached made me come out of my shell and realize I was a good player – my game improved tenfold.

“And there was a bit of a language barrier – I don’t think some of the words spoken in Cas are even English!

“The trip there from London took me out of my comfort zone. No one really knows rugby league in London, but in Castleford they live and breathe it.

“So in a way it’s similar to here, the fans are just as passionate. When there are finals matches here they line the streets and flares go off everywhere.”

McMeeken is now a mainstay at center back – something he didn’t think would happen when he was younger.

A change in role isn’t the only change, with big names such as Sam Tomkins and Mitchell Pearce retiring while the likes of Tyrone May, Matt Whitley and Adam Keighran left.

But it is three wins from four games so far as boss Steve McNamara’s new era gets off to a promising start.

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And McMeeken thinks there’s more to come once the team gets used to playing next to each other.

He added: “It’s been quite mixed so far. We are in a good position, but we can be better. We were quite disappointed with the loss in Leeds.

“Winning three out of four – and hopefully four out of five – shows we are on the right track, even if we haven’t had to get used to different styles.

“Arthur Mourgue plays differently at full-back to Sam, but the most important thing is that Sam is still in the background and can learn from the best.

“Only one team can win the Super League and our aim is to return to Old Trafford and go one step further. Being involved in these types of games only makes you hungrier to get back into them.

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“We also want to secure a home semi-final. Those opportunities in Perpignan are enormous.”

McMeeken is considering where his future lies as his contract expires at the end of the season.

But part of his conundrum is whether to leave the south of France, which now feels like home, behind him.

The Hampshire-born star told SunSport: “It’s our fourth year here now and the kids go to school here, they speak better French than me.

“One of the reasons to move here is the lifestyle and it is certainly a very nice place to live, but we will see what happens.”