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Castleford Tigers: Freezing West Yorkshire is the hot spot for teenager Shaw
Ryan Shaw.
Loan signing Ryan Shaw is happy to be freezing in West Yorkshire, rather than sweltering under the Australian sun.
The 19-year-old three-quarter has joined Castleford Tigers on a month’s loan from Warrington Wolves – who are currently Down Under on a pre-season training camp.
Shaw made his first appearance for Castleford in icy conditions against Huddersfield Giants six days ago and has been named on the wing for Tigers in Sunday’s pre-season game at Wakefield.
But he insisted he isn’t envious of his club-mates as he looks to establish his Super League credentials during his time at Cas.
Shaw has yet to make a senior appearance, but is hopeful of doing enough in Tigers’ pre-season games to prove that he can make the grade.
Hopes
“Warrington have only taken a 25-man squad,” Shaw said of his parent club’s three-week camp in Australia. “I missed out on that, but I think this is just as good.
“If I went over there it would be a good experience, but I might not play because they are only having one game.
“Being here I am playing, so that’s good for me.”
Shaw could remain at Cas after his initial month, if all parties agree. “We’ll have to see what happens,” he said.
“Hopefully I can break into the team. If I get in the starting line-up or even on the bench I’ll be happy, but it is a strong squad and there’s some good players here.
“It is going to be hard, but hopefully I can do it. I am 19 and I want to get some first-team rugby.
“That’s my intention, to play some Super League games. It’s not up to me, but I’ll do my best.”
An alternative for Shaw would have been a dual-registration deal with a lower division club.
But the teenager said: “This is a better standard than Championship or Championship One and I am really enjoying it.
“I have been impressed with everyone. It was brilliant playing last week, I really enjoyed it.
“I didn’t have my best performance, but I was impressed with all the lads.
“They have been brilliant with me since I arrived at the club and have helped me a lot, in and out of training.”
Despite being touted as a centre by Tigers’ coaching staff, Shaw came off the bench on to the right wing against Huddersfield last Friday.
“I play a bit of both,” he revealed. “In the under-20s at Warrington I played mostly centre, but quite a bit on the wing as well.
“I don’t mind, I will play centre or wing – anywhere in the backs really.”
Shaw completed Tigers’ scoring by converting Daryl Clark’s late try, a string to the bow which adds to his value to Cas.
“It was only in front of the sticks, but they all count,” he said.
Shaw is still living west of the Pennines, but travels over with Stuart Jones and Lee Mitchell, who is on a season-long loan from Warrington.
“We all jump in together and car share, so it’s not too bad,” he said. “Having Lee here has helped.
“When you first arrive you don’t really know anyone, so it was good to have him around.”
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
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