News

Posted: Tuesday 24th November 2020

Tigers announce Bienek signing

Castleford Tigers are pleased to confirm the recruitment of Lewis Bienek from Hull FC ahead of the 2021 season.

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The Ireland international has joined the Fords on an initial one-year deal but with an option to extend until 2022.

A marauding ball-carrier with formidable size, Bienek will arrive at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle to lend his physicality to a Tigers front row already boasting talents such as Liam Watts, Grant Millington, George Griffin and Tyla Hepi, with the Tigers also targeting another experienced arrival in that position for next year.

Bienek has top-flight experience that belies his young age after being pressed into action for the Black and Whites aged just 20 years old in 2018 after joining from London Broncos. During his time with Hull FC, he also gained valuable playing time out on loan at Batley Bulldogs and had made a strong start to this year with Leigh Centurions prior to the cancellation of the Betfred Championship season.

The 22-year old will now be aiming to get more games under his belt with the Fords after only making a solitary Super League appearance this year in FC’s 40-22 defeat to Leeds Rhinos in October and says he’s raring to begin working with his new Head Coach, Daryl Powell.

“I’m buzzing, when I spoke to Daryl and got the deal over the line I was really excited, I just want to get going. Obviously, it’s been a tough year for everyone and we’re getting out of the back end of that and getting stuck into the pre-season, I’m really looking forward to it.

“Daryl is one of the main reasons I wanted to sign with Cas, he’s a great coach and he gets a lot out of players that are coming through that are younger, so it will be great to learn a lot from him and there are more experienced players there, too.”

With the Rugby League World Cup taking place on these shores next Autumn, Bienek is aiming for a strong domestic season and stake his claim for a spot in the Ireland squad.

“I think Cas give people a go and are not afraid to let people get stuck in and show what they can do. The World Cup is coming up so I want to put my best foot forward to get into the Ireland squad again and show what we can do there again. There’s a lot to look forward to and a lot of challenges to really get stuck into.

“2021 we’re going to rip in, hopefully get the fans in the stadium and get the place bouncing to get the boys ready for the games, get some good carries in and play some exciting stuff!”

Head Coach Daryl Powell is confident the Tigers’ latest signing will have a sizeable impact at his new club, adding: “We tried to sign Lewis before he went to Hull. He’s come out of London, he has loads of energy and enthusiasm and he’s a big kid with great leg speed, he’s pretty rapid. 

“Lewis is a great prospect and I’m looking forward to getting him in and seeing what he can do. I think everybody will be excited to see him, you look at some of the things he has done earlier on his career, he has some development to do, but he has got a lot of potential.

“Front row is an important position and I think Lewis will really add to us. We’ve got a few young forwards now, obviously Matt Cook and Junior Moors are leaving us, but we’ve got Tyla and Jacques who have done pretty well, as well as Lewis Peachey and Brad Martin who played towards the back end. 

“We have a real air of youth that will stand the club in good stead for years to come which is what we’re looking for, but we’re also looking to win a competition next year as well. 

“With that in mind, we still want to add another experienced prop for 2021 who can come in and make an immediate difference to our go-forward, and we’re in advanced talks with a Super League-based player who we’re confident can do that for us.” 

Castleford's Director of Rugby Jon Wells believes Bienek will develop well at the club and said: "We are delighted to welcome Lewis to the Tigers. He is a young player who we have previously tried to acquire and who has massive potential.

“He will add size and grunt upfront for us in 2021 and will really complement our existing pack. He has plenty to learn but from what we know already he has exactly the right attitude to improve in our environment."