Paul Franze signs for
Castleford

Castleford Tigers have signed Australian centre Paul Franze from Guinness Premiership rugby union club London Irish until the end of the current season.

The 24-year-old will link-up with his new team mates at training on Friday and will be in contention to make his Tigers debut against Wakefield later in the day.

Franze joined the London Irish club last September after playing over 60 games in the NRL (scoring 22 tries) for Cronulla and the Penrith Panthers.

A Junior Kangaroo and the Sharks ?Back? and ?Rookie? of the year in 2002, he played both league and union as a schoolboy and with Italian ancestry is not a quota player.

A strong runner and a tough defender, Franze is looking forward to his return to league.

Tigers coach Terry Matterson said: ?Paul is a big strong runner who will give us more attacking options and more depth in our outside backs, both of which we have been looking for.

?He has plenty of skills and is a player who loves to run with the football.?

Franze added: ?I?m very excited about joining the Tigers and am looking forward to the rest of the season.

?I also appreciate the understanding of my coach Brian Smith and the London Irish club in facilitating my release to enable me to return to rugby league.?