Castleford Tigers confirm new two-year contract for Jordan Turner

Turner, 32, has scored seven tries in eight appearances since joining Tigers from Huddersfield Giants on a one-year deal in pre-season, playing on a wing, in the back-row and at half-back.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time [here] and I’m delighted to be on board for the next two years," he said.

“I think there are some exciting times to come.

“With it being my testimonial year and the World Cup coming up at the end of the year too, we’ve got some big games coming up in the next few weeks and obviously I would love to get a Challenge Cup final win under my belt.

“Later in the year we want to be contending for the Grand Final and on the back of that there’s my testimonial game.”

Jamaica, with Turner in their squad, are set to play Greece in a World Cup warm-up at the Jungle in October, which will double as his benefit match

More immediately, Tigers are at home to Leeds Rhinos on Friday and face Warrington Wolves in a Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final eight days later.

Turner said: “I’ve got on really well with Powelly [coach Daryl Powell] and I’m really grateful for him bringing me to the club.

“I’d hope that we could send him out with a bang this year, especially with the Challenge Cup coming up.

“I know it would mean a lot to him and it would mean a lot to me.”

Turner’s versatility makes him a valuable member of Tigers’ squad.

“It was something Powelly told me when I signed for the club,” he revealed.

““He told me he predominantly saw me as a centre, which I’ve not had a crack at yet.

“He said he saw me being able to fill in positions when we have problems in the squad and I’ve enjoyed my time playing on the wing.

“I like being the person the coaching staff depend on when they’ve got holes in the squad they can’t really fill and that has been my role for a number of years now.

“It’s something I think I’m quite good at.”

Of his scoring record, he added: “I like scoring tries, I suppose everyone does really.

“I think over the past couple of years my try-scoring record has not been as good as what it had been beforehand, I’d like to score a few more before the season’s out.”

Lee Radford, who Turner played alongside for Hull FC, will take over as coach when Powell joins Warrington at the end of this season.

“We get on really well and he sort of looked after me when I was a young kid,” Turner said.

“On the whole he is someone I’ve got massive respect for and consider one of my good mates.

“It will be great to work with him, I was made up he wanted me to stay on for the next couple of years. I think it’s going to be an exciting couple of years.

“It’s going to be a bit of a transition, but I think Lee is the right man to lead the club through that transition.”

Radford described Turner as “a great bloke”.

He said: “I have a really good relationship with him, so I’m delighted to get his extension over the line.

“He seems to have found an extra gear with Castleford and I’m hoping I can continue that and I can further nurture that as well because he has been in brilliant form at the start of this year.”

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