DARYL Powell's signings history with Castleford Tigers makes interesting reading for when he takes charge at Warrington Wolves in 2022.

He has not had the luxury of budgeting for eye-catching marquee recruits at the Jungle, but has had money to spend over his time there.

Paying transfer fees for Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos) and Liam Watts (Hull FC), two England internationals with history of discipline or off-the-field issues, are examples of that.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington's Robbie Lulhern and Daryl Clark get to grips with Castleford's Liam Watts in the 2021 season opener. Picture: SWPix.com

And his capture of St Helens half-back Danny Richardson in 2020 and Salford full-back or winger Niall Evalds for the Tigers' 2021 campaign is proof of Powell attracting rising talent that would nevertheless not have come cheaply.

Looking back since he joined Cas from Championship club Featherstone, Powell appears to have heavily focused on recruiting leading lights at lower-placed clubs, or offering fresh chances to players who were no longer wanted, or whose careers were stalling or seemed troubled, and those with a point to prove or wanting more game time than they were getting.

Those players include both British and from overseas.

And he has made space for some experienced hands that could help to shape and bring the best out of the many youth players he has promoted and relied upon.

> For Powell's Wire motivation, look back to the 2003 move 'upstairs'

Then, he has shown a knack for getting more out of players than they had previously shown elsewhere, for putting distracted careers back on track and for developing youngsters into Super League stars.

Half-back Luke Gale and hooker Paul McShane are the showcase examples, two players who had displayed all the potential without making it count but both have gone on to international level and achieve the game's pinnacle individual honour – the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Award – under Powell's guidance.

Warrington Guardian:

Luke Gale with the League Leaders' Shield for Cas in 2017. Picture: SWpix.com

Samoan half-back Ben Roberts has probably been Powell's highest profile catch from Down Under, while Junior Moors, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Peter Mata'utia can all be considered to have been successful recruits.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Roberts, a Powell overseas signing. Picture: SWpix.com

In terms of capturing from a lower level, he brought in Mike McMeeken and Denny Solomona from the 2014 relegated London Broncos and they had a considerable impact on the club – back-rower McMeeken growing into one of the stars of the 2017 Cas side that won its first League Leaders' Shield and reached its first Grand Final – and Solomona taking Super League by storm with 60 tries in 45 appearances.

And concerning promoting from within, Wire fans already know of the quality of Daryl Clark – another Man of Steel under Powell at Cas – while current stand-off Jake Trueman is one of the most talked about young talents in Super League.

Signings that proved to be let-downs over time are led by Hardaker with his drug-related issues in the lead-up to the 2017 Grand Final, Solomona's high profile exit to rugby union against Castleford's wishes, Scott Moore with his poor discipline and Garry Lo, the Papua New Guinean who was stood down by Cas in 2018 'as he voluntarily assisted with a police enquiry'.

Warrington Guardian:

Colourful Zak Hardaker, who is now plying his trade with Wigan. Picture: SWPix.com

It is going to be fascinating watching Powell operate for The Wire and with 14 players out of contract at the end of this season supporters will not have to wait too long to get a feel of how he intends to put his stamp on things.