Hardaker out of Grand Final

Castleford full back Zak Hardaker is out of the Super League Grand Final after a breach of club rules.

Hardaker, 25, has been one of the stars of a terrific season for the Tigers, in which they claimed the League Leaders Shield.

He was beaten by team-mate Luke Gale to the Steve Prescott Man of Steel on Monday.

A club statement said: “Zak Hardaker is unavailable for selection due to a breach of club rules. The club will make no further comment at this point as full attention is focused on Saturday’s Grand Final.”

Hardaker, who has won three previous Super League Grand Finals, is no stranger to controversy.

He was withdrawn from the England squad at the 2013 World Cup and received a formal caution from his then club Leeds.

The following year, he was forced to make a public apology for a homophobic insult towards Michael Monaghan during a match which earned him a five-match ban.

In 2015, he was subject to internal disciplinary action by the Rhinos once again after he and team-mate Elliot Minchella were detained and questioned by police over the alleged assault of a 22-year-old student.

Then last year, he handed in a transfer request at Headingley due to their poor form and he spent the latter stages of last season in the NRL with Penrith.

He signed a permanent four-and-a-half year deal with Castleford back in June having initially signed on loan.

The former Featherstone man was a certain inclusion in Wayne Bennett’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup, and as yet there is no indication on whether this breach will have any impact on his international prospects.