Ex-Leeds Rhinos youngster among 2 players to leave Championship club as Castleford Tigers pair go out on loan
Hunslet have announced the departure of two players, including a former Leeds Rhinos youngster, as a couple of Castleford Tigers men have moved into the Championship on loan.
Hunslet say loose-forward Emmerson Whittel and hooker Mason Corbett have left the club after telling coach Kyle Trout they intend to retire from semi-professional rugby league. A statement added: “The club wants to make supporters aware that Kyle Trout and [director of rugby] Keith Senior are currently working around the clock to bolster the squad through permanent signings. In the meantime, we will continue to access the loan market to bolster the squad ahead of Saturday’s game at Keighley Cougars. We hope to make announcements over the next few days.”
Whittel joined the Parksiders in pre-season on a contract until the end of 2027. He began his career with Bradford Bulls in 2014 and has also played for Gloucester All Golds, Keighley Cougars, Oldham and Rochdale Hornets, as well as Australian side Rockingham Sharks.
Corbett, a former East Leeds junior, came through Rhinos’ academy system before moving to Bulls in 2024. He joined Hunslet, initially on loan, the following year.
Meanwhile, Tigers’ hooker Cain Robb will spend the next month at Batley Bulldogs and prop Jimmy Beckett has also gone out on loan, to Goole Vikings, on a week to week basis.
Robb, a product of Tigers’ youth system, made his first team debut in 2021 and is on the comeback trail following injury. Beckett signed for Castleford in pre-season after playing for Featherstone Rovers last year. Tigers say the loans will “enable [both men] to get much needed playing time”.