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Ryan Hampshire: Castleford Tigers sign versatile ex-Wakefield Trinity Church back

Ryan Hampshire enjoyed a lucrative stint with Castleford in 2016, but eventually joined Leigh in 2017.

The Castleford Tigers have re-signed versatile half-back Ryan Hampshire on a one-year contract, following a number of training sessions with the squad.

The 27-year-old was without a club after leaving home side Wakefield Trinity this winter after shooting 48 attempts and 154 career appearances.

Hampshire, who can also play back-to-back games, shot eight tries in 22 Tigers games in 2016 during a loan spell from Wigan.

“The people at the club are all good people,” Hampshire said.

“I struggled to get to the side at the start in my first spell, but managed to get a good number of players at the end and had a really enjoyable year.

“I just want to be competitive and ready to go. The boys were really welcoming and it’s good to see some faces I haven’t seen in a while. I only had a few sessions with them, and it was good for to come back to it. “

With Danny Richardson ruled out with a neck injury expected to keep him out for a while, and Niall Evalds, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury, coach Lee Radford had to adjust his start XIII around availability.

Hampshire’s arrival gives Cas chief options in a number of areas, including both halves and even on the wing, where he operated several times for Wakefield during 2019.

“You just have to look at our spine at the moment,” Radford told BBC Radio Leeds. “We want to get [Paul McShane] Macca returns to the hooker as soon as we can, he does a great job for us in another position [at half-back].

“I’m glad he’s available. You will not get many people with that Super League experience, and also in good shape. I think we can try to get him a few minutes in the reserves, and he will show us that he is up . too fast. “