Video interview: Powell unveiled as Castleford boss

The 47-year-old former Great Britain stand-off was unveiled at a news conference at the club this morning as the successor to Ian Millward.

Castleford chief executive Steve Gill said: “We have taken our time over the appointment of a new head coach because we wanted to ensure that we brought the right man on board and I’m convinced that Daryl Powell is that man.”

Powell, who quit as coach of Featherstone at the weekend, will start work straight away to prepare the Tigers for their next match, a Super League trip to Catalan Dragons on Saturday, May 18.

“Every coaching appointment I’ve had has made me really proud and this is another proud moment for me,” Powell said.

“I’m really excited and can’t wait to start helping the team and the club to grow.

“Castleford Tigers is such a proud and traditional club and it has so much going for it.

“It is highly regarded in terms of developing its young players and the first team squad has an abundance of quality.

“I am looking forward to driving the standards and consistency of the team.”

Powell is returning to Super League after an absence of almost 10 years.

After bringing his illustrious playing career to a close, Powell joined the Leeds backroom staff and was appointed as head coach of the Rhinos in April 2001 as the successor to the disappointing Dean Lance.

But the promotion came early in his career and within two years he was making way for the arrival of Tony Smith, with the promise of Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington that he would be given the opportunity to widen his experience in readiness for his return one day.

Instead, Powell went on to coach the Rhinos’ sister rugby union club, Leeds Tykes, before joining Featherstone in 2008 and enjoying widespread success with the part-timers.

Rovers finished top of the Championship in each of his four seasons in charge and, after guiding them to Grand Final success in 2011, he masterminded a Challenge Cup victory over Castleford last season.

Powell has also coached Ireland and worked as an assistant to England head coach Steve McNamara to complete a comprehensive apprenticeship.

Featherstone chief executive Craig Poskitt said: “We thank Daryl for his outstanding services to Featherstone Rovers.

“It was our duty to allow Castleford the opportunity to speak with Daryl and he decided that the move was the right direction for him to take.

“I would like to state that the club will now be on the look-out for a replacement that shares our vision and wants to be a part of the long-term future of the club in Super League.”