Tigers’ Grehan joins Bulldogs on Challenge Cup upset mission

Grehan, 23, who is eligible for the cup after missing out on selection for the Tigers’ fourth-round defeat by Featherstone, will train with his new team-mates for the first time today and go straight into the Bulldogs’ squad for the Broncos tie.

“We’re a bit light on second rowers so we’ve done a deal with Castleford to sign Jimmy on loan,” said Batley coach John Kear.

Grehan, a former St George junior and Parramatta Eels squad member, joined Castleford from French club Limoux in January and has made four Super League appearances.

Kear, no stranger to Challenge Cup glory, is hoping the signing can help his team of part-timers pull off the second giant-killing act of the competition, following Featherstone’s defeat of Castleford.

Kear famously guided Sheffield Eagles and Hull to final upset victories over Wigan and Leeds, respectively, and believes a win at Mount Pleasant on Sunday would rank among his greatest achievements.

“If a Championship team could reach the quarter-finals, it would be like getting to Wembley for them,” he said.

“We spoke about it at the start of the season. One of our goals was to get to the quarter-finals of the cup.”

Batley gained away wins over Workington and Hunslet to reach the last 16 and Kear, who is in his first season with the Bulldogs, is hoping the club’s famous sloping pitch can help them reach their target.

“Being at home is a big advantage. Obviously, our ground is a little unique.

“It would be a massive upset because it’s part-time against full-time and we’ve got players laying tarmac drives and plastering walls in the build-up to the game, but I’m really pleased with our start to the season.”

Hull KR have handed two-year contract extensions to Liam Salter and James Green.

Salter, 18, a winger who has played in three of Rovers’ last seven matches, and Green, 21, a prop who is yet to make his Super League debut, were due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Organisers of the 2013 World Cup have been forced to abandon plans to stage two group fixtures at the proposed Pow Beck Stadium in Whitehaven because of delays over the project.

Scotland’s games against Tonga and Italy will be switched to an alternative venue after Copeland Borough Council were unable to guarantee completion of the new stadium on time.