Having finished the 2022 season in 7th place, falling short of play-off qualification on the final day, Castleford recruited high-profile signings including Gareth Widdop, Jacob Miller and Albert Vete.[1] Going into Lee Radford's second year as head coach, expectations were mixed:[2][3] a new-look spine was an enticing prospect,[4] however the Tigers squad also had the league's highest average age.[5]
In a poor start to the season, Castleford fell to defeats against Hull FC and St Helens. A heavy loss to Wigan in round 3 proved a tipping point, with Radford relieved of his first-team duties on 6 March.[6][7] Assistant coach Andy Last took charge of the team on an interim basis, while the club began a recruitment process for a permanent successor.[8] Centre Jake Mamo also departed the squad on 15 March after announcing his retirement.
The Tigers registered their first win of the season in round 5 against the Leeds Rhinos, in between miserable losses to Huddersfield and Warrington. They also secured a Rivals Round victory over Wakefield. On 19 April, after overseeing two wins from six matches in charge, Last was appointed full-time head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[9] Castleford came close against Salford and Hull KR, but ultimately entered into a six-match losing streak, including elimination from the Challenge Cup at the first time of asking in front of a decade-low home crowd.[10] In May, Craig Lingard was appointed as an assistant coach to Last.[11]
The Magic Weekend provided the occasion of their third victory, with Qareqare's try and Widdop's conversion completing a comeback over Leeds. A large loss to Salford followed, with captain Paul McShane's season ended by a fractured forearm,[12] although the Tigers consolidated with a win over out-of-form Warrington. Positioned 11th in the table and with bottom placed Wakefield picking up form, another losing streak built up the pressure on Castleford.[13] A host of signings, including Liam Horne, Charbel Tasipale and Blake Austin, aimed to turn the tide back in Cas' favour[14] - however, on 4 August, a heavy loss to Huddersfield sent the Tigers bottom on points difference, with a number of fans staging a protest.[15][16] That evening, the club announced that Last would depart with immediate effect.[17][18]
On 9 August, Castleford confirmed the appointment of Danny Ward as head coach on a deal until the end of the season, with Dane Dorahy joining as an assistant.[19][20] The first fixture under the new staff saw a huge clash at the home of relegation rivals Wakefield, billed as the repeat of the 2006 'Battle of Belle Vue'.[21] The Tigers started as underdogs[22][23] but fought to a vital 28–12 victory, with Greg Eden scoring a hat-trick. Now with the upper hand, a win against Hull FC in Castleford's final home game all but guaranteed survival.[24] Despite sustaining extremely heavy defeats against Warrington, Wigan and Leeds in the closing rounds, Castleford confirmed an 11th-placed finish,[25] consigning Wakefield to the Championship and bringing a close to a disastrous and disappointing season.[26]