Castleford Tigers boss Lee Radford admits to halfback signings

Castleford Tigers have struggled in the halfback position in 2022.

With Danny Richardson injured until midway through the season, Callum McLelland out for the season, Jake Trueman ruled out for the second half of the season and Gareth O’Brien in and out of the side through injury, Lee Radford has had little options in the halves to work with.

However, Richardson has impressed enough in the weeks that he has been present to be handed a new two-year deal by Radford.

And, the former Hull FC head coach was pleased for the halfback.

“I’m pleased for him,” Radford told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I didn’t get a lot of chance to see him until 11 rounds in, but I thought he came in and acquitted himself really well during that period.”

When asked about competition for places in 2022, Radford revealed that the contract extension for Richardson does not change his stance on bringing in new halfbacks.

“That’s for him (Richardson) to maintain and kick on – competition in places for the position he plays will be high, but whoever is doing the best things and playing the best footy will get the chance.”

Radford was asked: “You have been linked with other halfbacks, does Danny staying alter anything regarding that business?”

And, Radford replied: “No, I think Danny was always an option (regardless of others coming in).”

Those linked heavily to the Tigers for 2023 have been Wakefield Trinity’s Jacob Miller – who tore Castleford apart when the two sides last met a fortnight ago – and Warrington Wolves’ Gareth Widdop.

Widdop will not play again for the rest of the year after suffering a dislocated shoulder for the fourth time in four years, but Richardson will provide both of those with intense competition if they are proved to have signed.

Jack Broadbent has also been heavily linked with a move to the Jungle for 2023 after the former Leeds Rhinos man left Headingley for Featherstone Rovers for the rest of 2022.