Lee Radford reveals why Gareth O’Brien left Castleford Tigers for Leigh Leopards

Leigh Centurions, now Leopards, have today laid down the marker to the rest of Super League with the unveiling of their signings for 2023 which should make them more than a force in Super League next year as they look to accomplish something they have never done before: avoid relegation.

That said, the squad they’ve assembled has the capability to do just more than survive and perhaps Adrian Lam will be eyeing up a place in the play-offs in 2023.

One man who will be key to that is now former Castleford Tigers halfback Gareth O’Brien.

The versatile playmaker joined the Tigers in 2020 midway through the pandemic and helped them to Wembley in 2021 but now leaves the Jungle to take on a deal at Leigh.

Speaking on the Castleford website, Lee Radford explained that he loved working with O’Brien but when Leigh made an inquiry leaving the halfback the chance to spend a couple of years closer to home at the end of the year, it was a simple decision to make for all parties.

Radford said: “Even though I only worked with Gaz (O’Brien) for 12 months I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with him. This season he’s played a number of positions for us at Cas and I’m sure that utility value will be good for Leigh as they come into Super League.

“Leigh came in and made an inquiry for Gaz during the season and offered him a couple of years closer to home, so he leaves with our well wishes and I want to place on record my thanks to Gaz for all his efforts as a Tiger.”

It shouldn’t be too much of a loss for the Tigers who have kept Danny Richardson for 2023 and have also signed Jacob Miller and Gareth Widdop.