O’Brien joins Tigers

The 28-year-old has been with the Canadian club since 2018 but due to their withdrawal from Betfred Super League 2020, the Wolfpack players have been allowed to find new clubs for the rest of the season.

Gareth has a wealth of senior experience starting at Warrington Wolves as an academy graduate, during his time with the Wire he was sent out on loan to a number of clubs including Castleford for just two matches.

It was his time with Salford Red Devils where Gareth made his name more widely known, notably scoring the near halfway golden point drop-goal to secure Salford’s top-flight survival in the Million Pound Game.

2019 saw O’Brien crowned the Betfred Championship Player of the Year after featuring in 27 of Toronto’s 28 fixtures, scoring 22 tries and registering a quarter of the Wolfpack’s entire points in the campaign on their way to a Super League berth.

Speaking about joining Castleford Tigers, Gareth O’Brien said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity, with Toronto pulling out of the league it gives me a chance to get back playing rugby and enjoying what I do. I’m excited to get started!

“I hope to bring a big work ethic, I’ve got a good set of running legs in me and looking to slot in nicely into the team.

“I can’t wait to work with Daryl, I had a quick chat with him this morning and he has been very welcoming and I’m excited to work with him over the course of the next few months and I cannot wait to get going.”

Head Coach Daryl Powell has been an admirer of O’Brien for some time: “Gareth is a high-quality player who will fit in very neatly into the way that we attack, and he’ll really strengthen us I think for the remainder of this season.

“He’s a player that we have looked at before and given what has happened with Toronto and our position with Jordan Rankin going home, I thought it was important to get an experienced fullback on board and strengthen us in that position.”

Director of Rugby at Castleford Jon Wells commented on the news saying: “I would like to welcome Gareth to the Tigers – his addition will be a real asset for us going forward. Jordan Rankin’s departure during the suspension of Super League was unforeseen and far from ideal, so I am delighted now that we can add a player with the skillset and experience that Gareth has to our squad.”