Tigers delighted over Owen deal

Castleford winger or full back Richard Owen has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

The highly talented full back/winger was tipped to win full international honours this year but his season was wrecked when he suffered a broken leg just three games into the campaign at Bradford.

The injury was season ending but Richard has had the best possible treatment and he is back in light training with a view to building up to full fitness ahead of the 2011 season.

One of the many players in the current squad who have graduated through the Tigers youth system, Richard won England Schools representative honours and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old, establishing himself as a Super League the following season.

Coach Terry Matterson said: “We are all really pleased that Richie has sorted out his future with the club. He has a big challenge ahead of him over the next 12 months to rehabilitate himself from a very nasty injury but we look forward to working with him to get him back into the best physical shape to continue his career.

“But he is only 20 and there is no reason why Richie can’t get back to playing rugby as he was before and he has the world at his feet.”

Richard said: “It’s good to have signed a new deal and put my mind at ease. To miss almost all of this season was a real blow but now I can focus upon the future. I’m already working on getting back to fitness, I have started training and my aim is to be ready to return to action next season.

“In the meantime it’s good to see the guys having a good run of form and I’m looking forward to seeing if they can extend it in the game at Warrington next week.”