Castleford Tigers’ new signing reveals the fittest player under Lee Radford

Being one of the fittest in your rugby league team is an incredible achievement and one that is extremely difficult to aim towards.

With a squad of over 30 players, to take home the accolade of being the fittest is a major compliment.

For recent Castleford Tigers signing Kieran Hudson, who joined Lee Radford’s side in the off-season from Whitehaven, whom he is now back on loan with – he has revealed just how tough it has been to get up to speed with the rest of the Super League squad.

“It was tough because every single day if you are injured they would find something for you do to make you fitter,” Hudson said on The Full Eighty Minutes podcast.

“When I first joined I was injured and I thought I would have a coaster day and watch from the side but they were on top of us with the running.

“I think I’m the fittest now in my mind but it’s the next step I need to go to.”

Hudson also revealed a surprise choice over who is the fittest in the Castleford team.

“Probably McShane, because I’m younger I think I’m going to be fitter than everyone else but I’m miles behind him.

“He’s rapid and I can’t keep up with him.”

McShane is Castleford’s lynchpin – there is no doubt about it – and he produced the goods for the Tigers in their big 18-8 win over the Catalans Dragons, winning the man of the match in the process.

The hooker is deceptively quick and is one of Castleford’s fastest with a brilliantly intelligent rugby league brain, no wonder, then that he was made captain by head coach Lee Radford.

Hudson, meanwhile, is still waiting for his Castleford debut despite being named in the 21-man squad on occasion in 2022.