The 27-year-old back-row forward, who has agreed a 12-month deal with the Tigers, signed a three-year deal with Harlequins in September 2006 but pulled out of it three months later, citing personal reasons.

The former Canberra and New Zealand Warriors player, who had a three-match stint with Hull in 2007, then joined North Queensland.

Castleford coach Terry Matterson said: "I'm very pleased to have got Sione on board for next year.

"He will bring us some real presence. He has the size and skill and plenty of experience at the top level in the NRL. When I was at Canberra we tried to bring him back to the club but he opted to stick with the Warriors."

Faumuina, who has won two caps for his country, is the Tigers' third overseas recruit for 2009 following the acquisition of Rangi Chase (St George Illawarra) and Dean Widders (South Sydney).

Challenge Cup finalists Hull will have full-back or winger Todd Byrne back for tomorrow's engage Super League match against Harlequins.

The 30-year-old former New Zealand Warrior has been out for more than two months with a knee injury, but has the chance to secure a place in coach Richard Agar's team to face St Helens at Wembley on August 30.

Prop Paul King, who has been out for almost five months with a broken foot, is also back, along with goal-kicking loose forward Danny Tickle and Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor.

But Hull are still without half-backs Adam Dykes and Richard Horne, who will be allowed to prove their fitness for the final, and prop Garreth Carvell.

National League club Oldham have sent three-quarter Michael Brown back to Huddersfield as a disciplinary measure.

Oldham chief executive Chris Hamilton said: "This is an internal matter, and there will be no further comment from the club."