Chambers set for friendly debut

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Castleford are to stage a reserve team friendly against York to give Dwain Chambers his first taste of rugby league. The sprinter's one month trial with the club ends next week and Cas have asked permission from the Rugby League to play the specially arranged match at The Jungle next Sunday.

With the Tigers' first team playing at the Catalan Dragons the previous day, there will be no senior players alongside Chambers for his debut.

Similarly, York have a National League Two match at Blackpool on the Saturday, though players like the wingers Lee Mapals and Johnny Waldron might be asked to double up to test Chambers.

"The game helps Castleford out, as they need to see Chambers in a proper match, not just in training," said York's majority shareholder, John Guildford.

Cas have not had a reserve game in which to try out Chambers during his time with the club. The League said yesterday that they had given permission for the friendly.

The Celtic Crusaders will be without the country's leading try-scorer over the past two years for tonight's Challenge Cup tie at Leeds. The Australian full-back, Tony Duggan, has scored 83 times in 66 appearances since joining the Welsh club, but has been ruled out with a twisted knee.

In tonight's other tie, Whitehaven's new coach, Ged Stokes, has two of his most experienced forwards, David Fatialofa and Richard Fletcher available to face Lézignan.