Ex-Castleford Tigers man latest signing as Championship side also tie down Irish international

Halifax Panthers have continued their busy period of recruitment by signing a former Castleford Tigers man and tying down an Ireland international.

The club have set about a string of signings and re-signings this week as new head coach Kyle Eastmond makes his mark on the team.

Among those have been the arrival of Charlie Graham on a permanent basis following his prior loan deal, as well as the re-signing of France international Louis Jouffret.

Fax have done similar today with the signing of former Castleford Tigers man Brad Graham and the re-signing of Ireland international Zack McComb.

They had recently seen French forward Kevin Larroyer leave the club as a ninth exit after the initial departure of eight players, including Gareth Widdop, but the Panthers are now set on building up their squad for the 2025 season where they’ll be looking to bounce back after a poor 2024 campaign.

Ex-Castleford Tigers man snapped up by Fax

Second-row / centre Brad Graham is Halifax’s latest new signing with the 23-year-old signing after three seasons with Dewsbury Rams, for whom he played almost 60 times.

Prior to joining the Rams, Graham had made a handful of appearances for Castleford Tigers in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, even scoring against Huddersfield Giants back in 2021.

Back then, Graham was playing on the wing but with Castleford Tigers uncovering Jason Qareqare that season and having signed Derrell Olpherts, the club moved him on to Dewsbury.

He would score 18 tries during his three seasons there, playing different roles each season. The 2023 campaign saw him primarily play in the second-row but otherwise, his more natural centre position is where he’s been utilised.

Speaking on the signing, he hinted at where he’ll play in 2025: “I’ve got some experience under my belt since leaving Cas and making the decision to step away from full time rugby. Playing regularly has helped me to become the player that I am today, I started in the centres but now I play mostly in the back row which is where I’m aiming to play for Halifax this year.”

Playing in the centres for the Championship side will once again be Zack McComb who was confirmed as signing a new tw0-year contract with the club.

McComb has made 90 appearances for the club in his four seasons and there is nowhere he’d rather be for 2025, he revealed on the club website.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to have signed a new two-year deal at the club”, said McComb.

“This will be my fifth year at Halifax and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Halifax is my hometown and this is my hometown club so there’s nowhere else I’d rather play.”

“I’m just looking forward to pre season with Kyle, the new staff and new faces, getting going and putting the poor year last year behind us. Hopefully, we can have a big year and put some smiles back on some faces in the stands.”