Wigan's Super League title defence is effectively over after Hull made light work of a weakened Castleford to book their place in the play-offs.
Hull needed to beat the Tigers in their final Super 8s fixture to confirm their top-four spot and they did so in style with a thumping 48-16 victory.
Hull will travel to Leeds for next Friday's second semi-final, while Castleford will host St Helens 24 hours earlier unless champions Wigan defeat Wakefield by an improbable 90-point margin on Saturday.
Albert Kelly and Jake Connor scored back-to-back early tries after Castleford failed to deal with high kicks and it was virtually job done for Hull when Danny Houghton went over in similar fashion.
Debutant Tuoyo Egodo got the Tigers on the board but Jamie Shaul's scintillating long-range try underlined Hull's title credentials before Connor made it 28-6 at the break.
Egodo was celebrating a hat-trick in the early stages of the second half after quick-fire tries only for Connor to complete his treble to end any hopes of a Castleford comeback.
Castleford coach Daryl Powell opted to rest a host of key players with one eye on next Thursday's semi-final.
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