Castleford vs Catalan Dragons: Ben Roberts brings Samoan steel to Castleford's cause

Roberts missed the opening match of the season with a minor injury

Ben Roberts impressed for Samoa in the Four Nations and is set to make his Cas debut today (Getty Images)

Ben Roberts, who caught the eye playing for Samoa in the 2014 Four Nations Series, is now hoping to make his mark in Super League as he prepares to make his Castleford debut against Catalans Dragons today.

Although he arrived in the country back in December, Roberts missed the opening match of the season with a minor injury and is hoping to help Daryl Powell’s side get back to winning ways after their surprise 24-22 derby home defeat by Wakefield.

The 29-year-old stand-off, who played in the NRL for Canterbury, Parramatta and Melbourne, won five caps for New Zealand but made a big impression for Samoa in the 2013 World Cup as well as the Four Nations and he is hoping to take that form into Super League. “It was a pretty good campaign considering we didn’t win a match,” Roberts said. “The effort was there and there are positives for the future for Samoa.

“Coming to Super League is something I’ve always wanted to do and now is probably a good time. The body is great and I still have a lot to offer. It was always important that I still I had something to give if I were to come here.”

Roberts, who will form a new half-back partnership with ex-Bradford scrum-half Luke Gale, followed the fortunes of the Tigers last year as they reached Wembley and went within two points of claiming a first-ever top-table finish. “Knowing I was coming to Cas, I followed the boys a fair bit last year and became a big fan,” he said. “They were pretty unfortunate, they sort of fell short last year, but I suppose that makes them eager to try to do better this year.

“Daryl, being such a perfectionist, sets such a high standard and the goal for us is to build on last year despite a disappointing result last week. We know Catalans will give us a tough challenge but our boys have knuckled down hard this week and we are up for it,” Roberts added.