Ellis quits Castleford to follow in Huby’s footsteps

The 24-year-old half-back or hooker – who was in the Tigers team which lost to Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup final – has agreed a two-year deal with Paul Anderson’s side.

“Moving to the Huddersfield Giants is a good challenge for me. When a big club like Huddersfield come in for you it is a big opportunity and it’s one you can’t really turn down to be honest,” said Ellis, who made 14 Super League appearances for Castleford this season, converting 10 goals.

“There is an opportunity to play at scrum half, my favoured position and I have an opportunity to give it a really good go, I’m 24 and I want to give it a really good shot.

“Obviously my place isn’t guaranteed. I’m going to come here, train hard and hopefully get my chance. There is a spot there that is up for grabs and I am up for the challenge.

“I know a few of the lads already at the club. Brett Ferres was at Castleford and Craig Huby has also signed which will make it easier to bed into the squad. I just can’t wait to get started.”

Ellis’s kicking ability will provide welcome back-up for Danny Brough and gives coach Anderson options in some key positions.

“Jamie played more and more in a competitive Castleford side and proved his worth,” Anderson said. “He will add some depth to the halves position. We showed this year that when we had an injury in those positions we had to move people round and we struggled. Jamie will give us options. He is a very, very good young player. Jamie also brings with him a good kicking game. When we lost Danny (Brough) to injury we knew we had nobody to kick the ball but Jamie can do that, he will become very important to us going forward.

“Jamie is here, he is ready to prove a point and he wants to play. He has the bit between his teeth and he wants to show us what he is about. We have options now and we also have competition for places, that’s the key,” added Anderson.

Giants duo Jack Miller and Peter Aspinall have not been offered new contracts.

A rugby league tribunal has concluded its hearing to an allegation of improper conduct by Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington but has deferred its decision.

The 57-year-old was charged by the Rugby Football League over comments he made about its investigation into homophobic comments alleged to have been made by Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker during a match against St Helens on August 29.

The veteran administrator accused the governing body of carrying out a witch-hunt against Hardaker and claimed it was using the services of a lip-reader in an attempt to prove the case.

The RFL subsequently dropped the case against Hardaker due to insufficient evidence but accused Hetherington of questioning their motivation and integrity and breaching operational rules by “engaging in conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the game”.

Hull KR have confirmed the departure of assistant coach Stanley Gene, who is expected to take up a full-time role with Championship One club Gateshead.

The former Papua New Guinea international, who made more than 170 appearances for the Robins, has divided his time this year between his role at the KC Lightstream Stadium and working part-time as head coach of the Thunder, but new head coach Chris Chester has appointed Willie Poching as his right-hand man.

Gene said: “I’m disappointed that I won’t be staying at Rovers, a club that means a lot to me, but I wish everybody all the best for next season.

Catalan Dragons will tonight try to reach a maiden Grand Final when the French club takes on St Helens in the play-offs at Langtree Park.