Newly appointed Castleford Tigers head coach Paul Rowley has opened up on his backroom coaching staff and youth development vision as he prepares to lead the club forward.

Rowley, who signed a three-year contract at the OneBore Stadium following his departure from St Helens, will work alongside newly assembled assistant coaches Luke Robinson and Simon Grix.

Speaking in his first interview since taking charge, Rowley expressed excitement about collaborating with the pair—both of whom hold prior head coaching experience—while indicating he may also bring in trusted staff members to help deliver his message.

“I know ‘Grixy’ and I know Luke,” Rowley stated. “They’ve both dipped their toe in the head coach arena, so that’s invaluable learnings for them along their coaching journey. They’re both ambitious coaches, so I’m looking forward to working with them two lads.

“I’ll try and bring a couple of bodies in, in whatever department that may be. Having a couple of henchmen at the side of you who know how I think and can deliver my messages makes the job a lot easier.

“The sooner we get up and running and start building a relationship of trust, fun, and friendship, the further we’ll go. If Cas loses, we all lose; if Cas wins, we all win.”

Paul Rowley targets Wigan Warriors benchmark for Castleford Tigers youth pathway

Beyond first-team duties, Rowley addressed Castleford’s junior development setup, admitting the club has fallen behind Super League’s elite sides when it comes to nurturing homegrown talent.

Pointing to reigning champions Wigan Warriors as the benchmark for youth integration, Rowley confirmed that developing a clear pathway for squad numbers 25 through 30 is a high priority for club leadership.

“If you look at the top clubs and the perennial achievers in Super League, the next layer of players, squad numbers 25 to 30, is made of the next players coming through the ranks, in particular probably Wigan at the benchmark,” Rowley explained.

“When their young boys take to that field they’re ready, aren’t they? I think it’s fair to say that most clubs in Super League have really got a focus in that area and we’re behind in that respect. But speaking to Chris [Chester] and Chessie, there’s a big focus on developing and highlighting our own youngsters and making sure they have a valuable and realistic pathway through.

“My hands will be full with the first team, but I’ll certainly be casting an eye and be keen to look and know who’s shining and who’s in the pathway system. That’s important, and it can’t be neglected.”

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