Tigers win race to sign Wolves' in-demand Mathers

The 26-year-old former Leeds and Wigan player will join the Tigers next season after rejecting the offer of a new deal from the Wolves, who are set to hand the full-back role to new signing Brett Hodgson, who will move from Huddersfield Giants in 2011.

Leeds-born Mathers, who had contemplated a switch of codes, said: "Joining Cas is a good move for me and a great opportunity.

"I could have stayed with Warrington but Tony Smith has been honest with me and, with Brett Hodgson signing, he couldn't guarantee me a position.

"At 26, I believe that my best rugby is ahead of me, I didn't want to be just regarded as a squad player."

Mathers added: "I had a number of firm options on the table from both Super League clubs and rugby union but this seemed a good opportunity.

"I'm very ambitious to achieve things and feel that I can achieve those ambitions, both personally and for my club with Castleford.

"I have spoken with Terry (Matterson) at length and he convinced me that the club, especially with the new stadium in the pipeline, have the recipe to take off.

"That fits the bill for my ambitions, so in the end it became an easy decision."

Mathers, who won a Grand Final with Leeds, becomes Castleford's first signing for 2011, although they recently tied young full-back Richard Owen to a new two-year deal.

Tigers head coach Terry Matterson said: "I'm extremely pleased to have been able to get Richard on board.

"He is a quality player with plenty of experience, a good communicator and a real professional.

"And he is still only 26 so I would expect him to be pressing to win a place back in the England squad."

Bradford Bulls player Paul Sykes will lose his ever-present record in Super League XV after being handed a two-match ban. The former London Broncos centre was given the punishment, along with a 300 fine, by the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee for a dangerous throw on Harlequins forward Oliver Wilkes during the Bulls' 35-18 defeat on Friday.

He will sit out Bradford's home game against Salford on Sunday and their trip to Hull KR the following week.

Huddersfield Giants forward David Faiumu was fined 200 after being found guilty of a Grade A dangerous tackle that placed undue pressure on the shoulder joint of Nick Youngquest of Crusaders RL.

Dewsbury Rams player James Walker and Doncaster prop Alex Benson were suspended for two matches and fined 50 after making Grade B dangerous throws in their respective team's games last weekend.