A St Helens man has left the club on a short-term loan deal to join another Super League club for the start of the season.
Ben Davies who primarily plays in either the centres or second-row but has played in the halves when required has made the switch to join Castleford Tigers on a two-week loan.
St Helens have confirmed the move on their social media where they label it as an “initial two-week loan” but Castleford Tigers are hopeful that the loan can become ‘permanent’ for the full 2025 Super League season.
The signing comes following Castleford Tigers’ dismal Challenge Cup display that saw them dumped out of the competition by Championship side Bradford Bulls, making Danny McGuire’s side the only Super League team not to progress to Round Four.
The Tigers have struggled with injuries of late particularly in both the halves and the second-row with Rowan Milnes set to miss the start of the season and Danny McGuire recently confirming that second-row forward Alex Mellor has suffered a hamstring injury.
Castleford Tigers sign St Helens man on loan deal
Ben Davies has joined @CTRLFC on an initial two-week loan
Good luck and go well, Ben!#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 11, 2025
Davies made 11 appearances for St Helens in 2024 with the majority seeing him either come off the bench or start at centre, however, he did play in the halves against Wigan Warriors at Magic Weekend.
There’s a chance that could be where Castleford Tigers deploy the St Helens man, at least initially whilst Rowan Milmes is injured but as their statement confirms, they intend to make the loan longer than the initial two-week period.
That statement read: Ben Davies has joined Castleford Tigers on loan with a view to securing a permanent loan move for the upcoming Super League season.
“”Davies made his Saints debut against Salford in 2020, but 2022 was his breakthrough year making 16 appearances and stepping into the halves when needed.
“A centre or second rower, Davies is held in high regard by coach Paul Wellens and his team-mates for this team first mentality.”
Crucially, Castleford have revealed that if the loan deal is extended then Davies will be allowed to play against parent club St Helens in Round Two which would be a massive boost for Danny McGuire’s side.
Before then, Cas start the season with a Friday night away trip to Craven Park to face Hull KR whilst St Helens host Salford Red Devils on Saturday.
