����ý

Castleford Tigers captain Paul McShane will retire from full-time rugby league following the conclusion of the 2024 season.

The 34-year-old has spent nine years with the Tigers having joined from Wakefield Trinity in 2015.

He was an influential part of the side that won the League Leaders' Shield under Daryl Powell in 2017, reaching the Super League Grand Final that season, while he also won the Man of Steel award in 2020.

“I’ve absolutely loved the past nine years; it’s probably got the best out of me as a rugby player. It’s a club where I’ve become a man," McShane said.

“I haven’t hidden it, the club made me the player that I am today and the person that I am. It’s something that I’ll be grateful for, and I find myself counting my lucky stars every day that I get to end it on my terms.”

McShane has made 324 Super League appearances as well as 24 in the Challenge Cup and has, to date, made 221 appearances for Castleford.

He made his England debut in 2021 following his stunning Man of Steel season the previous year when he featured in every game during a Covid-interrupted campaign.

His final home appearance for Castleford will come in Friday's visit of Leigh Leopards.

“It’ll be really hard; I’ve always spoken about how playing in front of the Cas fans at Wheldon Road is something special and that’s been motivating me throughout my career and made me want to do my best every time I stepped out there." he added.

"Doing it this one last time on Friday, it’ll be a tough one but something I’ll remember."