Last updated at 14:40, Friday, 06 January 2012

TALENTED centre Ryan Shaw has moved a step closer to his Super League debut after signing for Castleford Tigers on a month’s loan.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: Barrow Island product Ryan Shaw (with ball) has gone from Warrington to Castleford on a one-month loan deal

The 19-year-old Barrow Island youth product will work under new Tigers head coach Ian Millward at the Jungle, with the aim of preparing him for his top-flight bow.

Shaw has been a regular in the Warrington Academy set-up for several seasons and was part of the under-20s side which reached the Valvoline Cup Grand Final and lifted the Rugby League Nines trophy last year.

His initial loan spell will run out before the opening round of Super League matches on the first weekend in February, but Millward and the player himself suggested there could be more to come after that.

“Ryan is a powerful young centre, who joins us initially for one month.

“He gets to train with us and we get to see if he is ready for Super League,” said Millward, who joined the Tigers this close-season from troubled Championship outfit Leigh.

“He’s a talented player who Warrington have high hopes for; we’ll play him in pre-season and see from there.”

Shaw was part of the same England under-18s set-up which featured his Barrow Island club-mate Brad Singleton.

Prop forward Singleton made his Leeds Rhinos debut last season and has been given a first-team squad number for 2012, with Shaw now looking to join him Ade Gardner and Ben Harrison as Barrow players in Super League.

The youngster said on Twitter: “First trip over to Castleford tomorrow, don’t think my bodies goin to like these early get ups tho!”

He later added: “For a month at first, could be longer tho not sure yet.”

Shaw is likely to feature in Castleford’s pre-season matches against Huddersfield, Gateshead, Wakefield and York over the next month. If the deal is extended, the Tigers start their Super League campaign at Salford City Reds on Saturday, February 4.

A statement from Castleford said: “With Joe Arundel and new signing Josh Griffin the only specialist centres in the first team squad, Millward is actively searching for additional cover in the back-line.

“Shaw, a former England Academy player, has an opportunity to impress ahead of the club’s Super League campaign, as do a number of the club’s own academy backs who are experiencing full-time training with the first team at present.”

Warrington added in a statement of their own: “The move will give Ryan an opportunity to push for Super League experience ahead of the new season.

“Ryan has impressed in the academy ranks at Warrington and all at the club would like to wish him the best of luck for his time with the Tigers.”

First published at 13:24, Friday, 06 January 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk