The ‘four or five’ players Lee Radford could be targeting as Castleford Tigers signings

Following Castleford Tigers’ heartbreaking loss to the Leeds Rhinos in the last day of the regular season, head coach Lee Radford revealed some exciting news for Tigers’ fans.

With Cain Robb, Sam Hall and Brad Martin all enjoying great games on Saturday afternoon, Radford revealed that there will be ‘four or five’ signings within that young age bracket that will walk through the Jungle doors in the off-season.

“I’ve made no secret of trying to freshen our squad up with younger faces. We’ve extended Cain, Sam Hall and Brad Martin and there’s going to be four or five blokes coming into the group that will be announced shortly that are in that age bracket,” Radford said.

“It’s then our job to bring them through but you’ve got to have the minerals, that get up and go and I thought Cain had that today.”

One of those that looks destined to sign on the dotted line is former Leeds man Jack Broadbent, who has spent the last few months on loan at Featherstone Rovers as Rhinos boss Rohan Smith attempts to juggle the salary cap.

Another name that has been mentioned often is Bradford Bulls star AJ Wallace who has been ripping it up in the Championship after leaving Leeds at the end of 2021 as well as Leeds youngster Muizz Mustapha.

But that then leaves two or three others that have yet to be named, so who could they possibly be?

George Flanagan Jnr has been one of Bradford’s bright sparks in 2022 but had rejected offers from Super League this season in order to play with his father at Odsal.

That being said, the playmaker would thrive in a Super League environment and, with Flanagan still a teenager, would learn from the best at such a young age.

Halifax Panthers’ Ben Tibbs has also been tearing it up in the Championship whilst Barrow Raiders’ Tee Ritson looks a Super League player in all but name.

Lachlan Walmsley has also been free-scoring for Halifax with the 24-year-old previously attracting the interest of the Wigan Warriors.

It remains to be seen who Radford will be trying to coax to the Jungle – or who he has already convinced to join – but with an ageing squad at present, it makes sense for the Castleford boss to look for some younger players.