More Castleford Tigers players will be heading to other clubs on loan, coach Ryan Carr says.

Back-rowers Sam Grice and Jack Ashworth both linked up with Betfred Championship sides this week and Carr wants as many of this squad as possible to be playing first team rugby. Grice has joined Hunslet RLFC on loan until the end of this season and Ashworth will spend the next month with Doncaster.

Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Thursday) ahead of tomorrow’s home Sky Sports and SuperLeague+-streamed clash with York Knights, Carr said: “We’ve got a reserves game on Friday night, then the reserves have about four weeks off. We need our players playing and there will be some others who are getting some time [on loan] with our roster getting a bit more healthy.

“I don’t want players not playing, you only get match fit by playing and you only learn by playing. It will be good for Jack to get some match time.”

Austrlaian half-back Tom Weaver is ever-present for Castleford Tigers in Super League this year. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Austrlaian half-back Tom Weaver is ever-present for Castleford Tigers in Super League this year. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

While Grice has yet to make his top-flight debut, Ashworth was a Grand Final winner with St Helens against Salford Red Devils seven years ago. He has played just five times since joining Tigers from Hull FC in pre-season and Carr reckons his loan is an indication of the increasing depth in their squad.

He stressed: “We have got quality players missing out, which is not nice for them, but it is a healthy sign for the squad, having to have tough conversations with people who are definitely good enough to be in the team, but can’t quite force their way in. It is a good spot to be in.”

Meanwhile, Carr is bemused by rumours suggesting Australian half-back Tom Weaver could be on his way out of the club. The former Gold Coast Titans play-maker joined Tigers in pre-season on a two-year contract and is ever-present in Betfred Super League so far this year, scoring four tries and 43 goals in 15 appearances.

He was outstanding when Tigers beat Toulouse Olympique 36-18 last weekend, but recent media speculation suggested he might be set for a return to Australia at the end of the current campaign. Asked about that, Carr insisted: “He is on contract [for next year]. I don’t know where these things come from, people obviously know things I don’t know.”