Castleford Tigers director issues Tyrell Sloan verdict as ‘naughty stuff in the press’ rubbished

Tyrell Sloan will be a Castleford Tigers player in 2027 according the club’s director of rugby Chris Chester, who has issued a firm response to speculation otherwise.

That speculation was started by Sloan’s own comments when he spoke after a recent St George Illawarra match as the outside back admitted that he had wanted to stay in the NRL.

He’d then speak further to an Australian newspaper and confirm that the uncertainty over Ryan Carr, who the Tigers have now confirmed has left the club, had ‘put a dent in things’. More recently, The Daily Telegraph have reported that rival NRL clubs have asked to be ‘kept informed’ of Sloan’s situation with the view of signing him if a Cas deal fall through.

Despite that, Chris Chester has asserted that Sloan will be coming to Super League for 2027, whilst also absolving him of any comments.

“Tyrell’s a young man, he was open and honest, he didn’t want to leave the NRL but there wasn’t an opportunity for him there to stay in the NRL,” Chester explained at Friday’s press conference.

“We jumped at the chance for Tyrell to come over here. We’ve had discussions, myself and Martin [Jepson] on Monday morning, really really open conversations around the club.”

Martin Jepson would allude to them in his own statement, published shortly after the club confirmed Ryan Carr’s exit. On Sloan and the other St George Illawarra recruits, Jepson said: “On the subject of signings, Chris Chester and myself had a good call with all Damien [Cook], Mathew [Feagia] and Tyrell [Sloan] yesterday and all of them are finalising their moves and looking forward to joining the club.”

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Castleford Tigers director confirms NRL trio will sign for 2027

Chester would again assert that whilst also asserting that the club’s boardroom is united, despite what he labelled ‘naughty stuff’ being written in the press.

He said: “There’s been a lot of naughty stuff written in the press around issues in and around the boardroom and what I will say on that is everybody’s united, there’s been no issues in and around the boardroom.

“We’re very very well connected and united and the conversations we had with those guys on Monday is they can’t wait to get over here for the start of pre-season.

“I don’t read the media, I get told certain things but I think that’s kind of why it was important that myself and Martin had a good team’s call with those guys.

“They’re committed to this club for the next two or three years and we’re looking forward to seeing them in pre-season.”

That will be of some assurance for Castleford fans who will now eagerly await news on who their next head coach is.