Exodus continues at Castleford

Two more players have left relegated Castleford to rejoin their former clubs as the Tigers prepare for their first season outside Super League.

Two more players have left relegated Castleford to rejoin their former clubs as the Tigers prepare for their first season outside Super League.

The prop forward, Paul Jackson, has gone back to Huddersfield, the club he left in 1998, on a one-year contract. "I am absolutely delighted to be back and, to be honest, I never wanted to leave in the first place," Jackson said.

The Australian-born full-back, Damian Gibson, has meanwhile returned to Halifax, the club he played for between 1998 and 2001. "There were a lot of full-backs on the market, but Damian was always the one we wanted," said the Halifax coach, Anthony Farrell.

Promoted Leigh will make their Super League debut with a home fixture against Huddersfield. They will host the Giants at Hilton Park on the second night of the new season, Saturday, 12 February.

In a break from recent policy, the season will not begin with a replay of the previous campaign's grand final. There are three matches on the opening night, 11 February, with Hull versus the champions Leeds the likeliest candidate for coverage on television.

The Tri-Nations winners, Australia, will end a world tour that has included games in New Zealand, England and France, by playing the USA in Philadelphia today.

Former Castleford coach, Graham Steadman, who was Great Britain's assistant coach in the tournament, is negotiating a new contract as defensive coach with union side Munster.