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Rugby League

Chambers '50-50' to make Tigers debut this weekend

01/04/2008

Controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers could be set to make his rugby league debut for Castleford Tigers this weekend, just days after starting training.

Head coach Terry Matterson has revealed that the 60m World Indoor Championship silver medallist could be thrown in at the deep end as soon as this weekend against Challenge Cup holders St Helens.

Due to the club's small squad and crippling injury list, Chambers is "50-50" to be included for the side he has joined on a month-long trial from today.

"We're busted. We only had 17 players [for the 50-4 defeat to Bradford Bulls on Sunday] and lost two more to injury so you do the sums," he said.

"I would say his chances of playing in the first grade are high. We have a gym session tomorrow and he can lead the way in that."

Matterson also confirmed that there would not be many contact drills in Chambers' first week so as not to risk any more injuries to first-team players, although this could work against the athlete who will be relatively unaccustomed to the level of physicality associated with professional rugby league.

Despite this drawback, Matterson looks set to give the 29-year-old his first taste of the sport almost immediately – even though he admits playing Chambers is "a long shot".

"The club can't lose anything by this," the coach added.

"If he does make it, it will bring people through the gates."