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Rugby League

Chambers to travel to Cardiff with Castleford

30/04/2008

Dwain Chambers will travel to Cardiff with the Castleford Tigers squad for the Millennium Magic fixtures this weekend.

The former sprinter has been on trial at the Jungle for the last month, learning the ropes of the sport and taking part in training with the injury-hit squad.

Chambers took part in his first ever game of rugby league last weekend, playing in a reserve-grade friendly against York in front of more than 3,200 spectators.

A decision was expected today or tomorrow over whether Chambers would be offered a permanent deal, although the club have now said it could be early next week before an update on the situation can be provided.

The Tigers media manager David Smart said: "Various talks are ongoing with representatives of ourselves and Dwain, plus some of our sponsors, but at this stage there is nothing else to add.

"It is expected that Dwain will be travelling with the club to Cardiff for our game on Saturday."

Castleford face Wakefield Wildcats in the second match of the weekend at the Millennium Stadium and is not eligible to play for the first team until he has a full contract.

And Smart continued: "He's only been in the sport for a month, and no one is suggesting he will be involved with the first team next week.

"But he certainly has something to offer."

Chambers' performance in the friendly last weekend met with a mixed reception from onlookers.

However, Smart believes the Castleford coaching staff would have been pleased with his contribution - despite his debut being cut short by a knock to his shoulder late on.

"There's a range of factors involved [in the decision to offer him a contract]," Smart stated.

"He's certainly a brave lad and the tackle he made [when he hurt his shoulder] was on a big prop forward coming at him. There's no doubting his commitment."

However, Smart sounded one note of caution from the club's point of view: "He is 30 years old, so he's not young for a professional sportsman. But we will see how it goes."