Man of Steel Paul McShane signs new deal with Castleford

Castleford hooker Paul McShane has signed a three-year contract extension to keep him at the club until the end of the 2025 season.

McShane, 31, joined from Wakefield in 2015 and was an ever-present in the 2017 season when Castleford topped the Super League table.

He said: “I’m over the moon to be staying for the next four years, I have to give credit to Cas for improving next year’s deal for me as well which is something they didn’t have to do and something that I’m grateful for.

“I want to keep getting better at everything I do, hopefully in the next four years, it sees me keep improving and getting better.

“I feel great, I feel as though the older I get, the smarter I’m getting both playing-wise and body-wise in looking after myself.

“The club has made me the player that I am now, the people involved, my kids only know me playing for Cas which is a big factor as well. I’ve probably turned from a boy to a man here.”

McShane came through the ranks at Leeds and had loan spells at Hull, Widnes and Hunslet before moving to Wakefield in 2014.

He moved to The Jungle as part of a swap deal with Scott Moore, and has made more than 160 appearances for the club.

Incoming Tigers head coach Lee Radford added: “To have Paul long-term is a credit to the club really and a credit to him, he is arguably one of the most influential players in any team in the competition, he seems to be getting better with age.

“I was fortunate enough to get to play with him at Hull when he came on loan from Leeds, formed a good relationship with him there and hopefully we can continue that in a coach and playing capacity.

“I think he is the most influential #9 in the comp, how he steers the team around and how he takes the pressure off the pivots and his leadership qualities are there to see.”