Gale forced to admit Cas were second best

The scrum-half wasn’t named in Daryl Powell’s original 19-man squad last Thursday but had a fitness test on his injured ankle the following day and was drafted in in time for Saturday’s game at DW Stadium.

It didn’t have the desired effect – Castleford still lost 26-12 – but Wane revealed afterwards that his players were “very, very motivated” in part due to the “illegal” change and also after Powell had complained about referee Ben Thaler’s performance when Wigan won at Wheldon Road earlier this season.

Gale, who had missed Tigers’ previous match against Hull FC with the injury, told the YEP: “I wasn’t even aware of what he’d said.

“Illegal? I don’t know about. I don’t really listen to what coaches say in the media, though, to be fair.

“Often it’s just them having a go at each other so I don’t pay much attention.

“And my ankle’s pretty sore, to be honest. I wasn’t always going to play but it was a quarter-final of a Challenge Cup and I’d have played on a broken leg if I could.

“But I had to make sure I was right and make sure it was no daft, rash decision.

“I have got a grade two tear of my ligament so it was quite painful when I woke up Sunday morning but I’ll rest up now and get right for Salford on Friday.”

In-form Gale, who hopes to make his England debut in the Four Nations later this year, had no qualms with Wigan’s victory, however.