Timmins is a Tiger

Castleford Tigers are delighted to be able to announce the capture of Australian international Shaun Timmins from the St George-Illawarra Dragons club. He will join the club ahead of the 2007 campaign. Timmins, who can play with equal ability in the centre, stand off or loose forward has signed a 2-year deal with the Tigers.

The 29 year old has played over 200 games at the top level of the NRL, firstly with the Illawarra Steelers and then with the Dragons when the Steelers and St George merged in 1999. Only last month he was included in the 'Team of Steel', which was 'selected' from the greatest players in Illawarra's history.

Timmins has made 9 test appearances for the Kangaroo's, most recently in 2004, and he has also made 9 appearances for New South Wales in what many people regard as the toughest contest of them all, State of Origin. He was voted the Dally M (which covers the entire NRL competition) 'Lock of the Year' in 2004.

Tigers coach Terry Matterson said: "To sign someone of Shaun's stature is a huge boost for us. He has played at the highest level for over ten years and has tremendous big match experience in tests and origin. As well as the experience that he brings, Shaun gives us options in that he can play in a number of positions and I'm really looking forward to working with him."

Timmins said: "I'm keen as mustard to be coming over to the UK, it is something that I have wanted to do for a while and I am really excited about the move. I know Terry Matterson from his playing days over here and a few of the Tigers players, and I have heard good things about the club, so I'm already looking forward to the season."