Tigers pledge to stand by jailed player Aspinwall

Castleford say they will stand by forward Martin Aspinwall, despite his four-month jail sentence for dangerous driving. Aspinwall, already under suspended sentence for an assault conviction, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court last week.

"While we as a club do not condone what Martin has done to find himself in this situation, his attitude and enthusiasm while with the Castleford Tigers have been first-class," said Terry Matterson, the Castleford coach. "We'll be giving Martin all the support possible."

Matterson added that the club will welcome back Aspinwall on his release.

Hull, meanwhile, deny that they have sacked their former Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson. The club's coach, Richard Agar, said Gleeson was missing from the team because of illness.

Warrington will pay tribute to Paul Darbyshire before Friday night's home match to St Helens. Darbyshire, who was on the club's playing and coaching staff for 18 years, has died of motor neurone disease at the age of 41.