UPDATED: O'Brien loan move to Castleford Tigers (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Wolves' Gareth O'Brien loan move to Castleford Tigers

1:38pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in Wolves news

WARRINGTON Wolves scrum half Gareth O'Brien has signed a one month's loan deal with Castleford Tigers today.

The 21-year-old, who figured for partner club Swinton Lions in the Kingstone Press Championship defeat at York last weekend, trained with Ian Millward's men yesterday and has been named in Tigers' 19-man squad for Saturday's televised match at Bradford Bulls.

O'Brien, a success on a loan deal with Widnes Vikings last season, would provide cover for England scrum half Rangi Chase after he collected a two-match suspension this week for a challenge on Zak Hardaker during the Tigers' 14-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos at the weekend.

The former Great Sankey High School pupil is expected to start at stand off for Cas in their trip to Bradford Bulls on Saturday, when he could come up against Warrington clubmate Matty Blythe, who is on a season-long loan with the Odsal club.

O'Brien made 11 appearances and scored three tries and 28 goals for Wolves in 2012 before injury ruled out the back end of his campaign.

Currently, Richie Myler, Lee Briers and Stefan Ratchford have a stranglehold on the Wolves half backs slots, with Simon Grix and Michael Monaghan able to provide additional cover should an injury crisis set in.

Wolves' Rhys Williams and Mike Cooper have had successful loan spells with Castleford in the past, while Millward is no stranger to calling on help from the Warrington squad from his time as boss of Leigh Centurions.