Ex-Saints boss Rowley named Castleford coach

Castleford Tigers have appointed Paul Rowley as their head coach on a three-year contract.

Rowley had been out of work since leaving St Helens in July, halfway through his first season in charge.

The Tigers had been without a head coach following the departure of Australian Ryan Carr in August for personal reasons.

Castleford finished second bottom in Super League with only eight wins from their 27 games, but received an A score in the IMG ratings released last week.

The Tigers will be the third Super League club Rowley has been in charge of after Salford Red Devils and then Saints.

He led Salford into the play-offs in 2022 and 2024, playing an exciting style of rugby before severe financial issues took over and he eventually left the club.

It landed him the job at St Helens, but after an injury-hit difficult spell, he departed with the club sixth in the table, with Saints eventually missing out on the play-offs.

He now moves over to West Yorkshire, and a Castleford team who have not reached the play-offs since 2019 and have just seen local rivals Wakefield Trinity win the Grand Final.

Cas were only kept off the bottom of Super League by Bradford Bulls, with the club hoping he can be the man to rejuvenate them.

"Paul has a proven track record of building competitive teams, developing players and creating an attacking brand of rugby that supporters can get behind," said Castleford director of rugby Chris Chester.

"He has a real passion for the game, strong leadership qualities and a clear vision of how he wants his teams to play."

More to follow.