Brian Noble today spoke of his admiration for the job fellow coach Graham Steadman is doing at Castleford.

When the Bulls gave one of their most complete performances of the season in winning 32-8 at The Jungle in early May, the Tigers were eighth, just a point above the bottom four of Halifax, Wakefield, Warrington and Salford.

They had only won two of their eight matches, but since - although they are still eighth - they have won five of their last 11 matches and are nine points above basement club Wakefield.

Noble said of the former Great Britain international's influence: "They are playing really well. 'Steady' has turned them round.

"Yes, they have lost a couple of games they should have won, but they have run into a good patch of form and are unbeaten in their last three outings.

"They have knocked London off and they have knocked Leeds off, and they should have won against Wigan last week, irrespective of Wigan having a few kids in, because the Warriors still had plenty of experience in their team."

Noble added: "They will be confident in coming here, and I am sure Graham has pointed out a few areas where they will want to exploit us.

"And by the same token, we have been looking at them, but if we give them any opportunities they will take them.

"Castleford are tough defensively. They have a good record and keep sticking in there.

"We had to be patient at Castleford, and it was one of our better performances of the season there.

"But if any of our players under-prepare, we will be embarrassed."

The Tigers will be without the suspended Dean Sampson and Michael Smith.

However, Yorkshire coach Noble warned: "It is important that we don't invest in who they are missing. It is important that we invest in who they have out there.

"They can still put a very good side out and we will have to be on our mettle.

"They will be disappointed that Michael and Dean aren't playing, because they are two very big performers for them, but they have had their punishment handed out and they will have to take it. They will lose a bit of go-forward."