Castleford decide against Raper appointment

Castleford won’t be bringing former head coach Stuart Raper back to the club to work in an advisory role alongside temporary boss Danny Orr.

Raper, who coached the Tigers between 1997 and 2000, had offered to return to help Orr until a permanent successor to Ian Millward is found.

However, the club revealed they would be utilising resources elsewhere, and that they had 10 applicants for the vacant position so far.

Chief executive Steve Gill said: “We’re progressing with our search for a new Head Coach. We have had a total of 10 applicants to date and we are busy assessing and meeting with them.

“We thought long and hard about Stuart Raper’s offer to work with Danny Orr until the end of the season, however we have decided not to go down that route. I think that the financial outlay that would have been required to bring Stuart over could be used more wisely on a long-term appointment.

“We are still actively looking for a permanent Head Coach and will make a further announcement in due course.”

Australian Raper, 48, took Castleford to within 80 minutes of the Super League Grand Final back in 1999, and went on to coach Wigan in Super League.