Delighted Agar determined to repay Hull's show of faith with silverware

The Airlie Birds chief was thought to be one of four people on the RFL's shortlist to succeed Tony Smith but will remain in charge at the KC Stadium until the end of 2012.

Agar – whose current contract was due to expire at the end of this season – was under pressure last year but Hull have improved markedly in 2010.

"It was an easy decision to make and I'm pleased that the club have shown the confidence in me to succeed," he said.

"Time is something that many coaches don't get and I'm delighted I have been given that time.

"Now it is up to us as the coaching staff to repay that faith and ultimately the way to do that is to win some silverware."

Castleford Tigers are aiming for a third successive victory at derby rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats tonight. They suffered relegation at Belle Vue in 2006 but times have been happier since.

Tigers coach Terry Matterson said: "We had to suffer some big disappointments against Wakefield in recent seasons but we have won on our last two visits.

"We are very keen to reward our fans by continuing that trend. These are the type of games that players enjoy; it will be tense and there is a lot more at stake for the fans than the two points."

Wakefield have signed full-back Kieran Hyde, 20, from Bradford Bulls in a deal which sees highly-rated England Academy scrum-half Cain Southernwood, 17, move the other way on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Nineteen-year-old prop Adam Walker has signed a two-year deal with Huddersfield Giants and could celebrate by making his Super League debut versus Catalans Dragons tonight.

Last night's game between the Crusaders and Harlequins was postponed due to a water-logged pitch in Neath.