Icon Graham Steadman says Castleford Tigers heading 'back where they belong' as he leads Newcastle revival

Steadman has returned to rugby league, after a 21-year exile in the 15-a-side code, as an assistant-coach of Betfred Super League newcomers York Knights and team boss at Championship outfit Newcastle Thunder. But Tigers, the club he played for 237 times from 1989-97 and coached in 2001-2004, remain close to his heart and he’s optimistic for their prospects this year.

After finishing 11th in two of the past three seasons - and 10th on the other occasion - Castleford have a revamped squad under new coach Ryan Carr. “I have still got contacts in the Cas set up and some good noises have come out of there in pre-season,” Steadman said.

“They have recruited very strongly. Chris [Chester, Tigers’ director of rugby] did a very good job at Leigh and I don’t see anything different happening at Cas. It might be a different budget, but I am sure he’ll get the right players who fit the town and what the community is about. I certainly hope Cas get back to where they belong, which is in the top-six.”

Steadman also has a lot of affection for Featherstone Rovers, where he spent four years as a player in the 1980s. Rovers went into administration in December and have been excluded from this year’s Championship.

“That’s sad news,” Steadman said. “I got a phone call and I thought it was a bit of a hoax. It is sad, but I am sure they will be back in 2027.”

After leaving Tigers in 2004, Steadman coached at the highest level in rugby union, including Munster and Newcastle Falcons as well as with the Ireland and Scotland national sides. Back in league, he had a spell as Thunder’s interim-boss last year and became head-coach in pre-season.

“It was a massive learning curve,” he said of his time at the helm last year. “The club had not had a win for 20 months, but we went close on occasions and I saw a good progression being made. That whetted my appetite to get back in. I am thankful of being able to carry that on this season, with a stronger squad.”

A partnership with Super League newcomers York Knights - which also includes NRL Giants Penrith Panthers - has massively boosted Thunder’s ability to bring in quality players and “will be invaluable going forward”, according to Steadman, who has returned to a much-changed sport. He admitted: “In many ways it is like going back to school. I am learning the trade again. There’s so much detail, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it, working with the likes of [Knights coach] Mark Applegarth and Chris Thorman [Thunder’s previous team boss who is now an assistant at York].

“They are very detailed in their presentation and working with the players, it fits in with what I am all about. I love it and I also love seeing the development of young players. I think that’s where my strength will be, fitting into the systems they’ve got in place at York and Newcastle.”