New signing Niall Evalds 'excited' to get started as Castleford Tigers return to training

The pacy England Knights full-back played for Salford Red Devils in the 2019 Betfred Super League Grand Final and this year’s Coral Challenge Cup decider and has his sights set on more big occasions in Tigers’ colours.

He began pre-season training with his new club yesterday (Monday) and stressed “I think this team is good enough to get to finals and really do something special.”

Halifax-born Evalds, who made his Salford debut in 2013, said: “That’s why I have come here, the expectations of the club, Powelly [coach Daryl Powell] and all the players here.

"It is up to us to meet those standards.

“I am excited for the fresh start and ready for the season.

“I want to enjoy this pre-season - as best as we can, with all the hard work - and get ready to play.”

Evalds is a prolific try scorer - touching down 22 times during the 2019 Super League season - and reckons Tigers’ attacking style will suit his game.

“Paul McShane, the Man of Steel, is an outstanding player and I am looking forward to having a relationship with any of the spine - Jake Trueman, Danny Richardson, Gareth O’Brien,” he said.

“There’s some quality players here and we’ll build on that over pre-season and come the first game that should be looking pretty fluent.”

Evalds has a rival for the full-back role in his former Salford teammate O’Brien, who made a big impression for Tigers after joining them, initially on loan, from Toronto Wolfpack midway through 2020.

But he observed: “There’s competition everywhere.

“That’s what you need, it keeps you on your toes.

“I have had it before, it makes you play better and it’s what a team like Cas needs.

“You don’t want to get complacent, so it is good and we are all excited for the challenge.

“It will make us work harder in training and push us that extra bit.”

On a personal level, Evalds feels his best years are still ahead of him and is looking to learn and improve “every day”.

He insisted: “That’s what I have done throughout my career and it’s no different now.

“I have got aspirations of playing internationally and things like that and that starts with hard work in training every day and performing on a weekend.

“I am here to improve the team and to improve myself.

“I hope to do the fans proud and I will do everything I can in training and games to make the club succeed.

“I have come here for a fresh challenge and that’s what it is going to be.

“I am excited to work with Daryl Powell and the players here”

Tigers’ players are taking part in a three-day camp at the Jungle, Wheldon Road, this week ahead of training being stepped up in the new year.

“It’s good to be here and to get the first session out of the way and to get to know all the boys,” Evalds said.

“It is good to see everyone and the hard work starts now.

“It is all new to me, the hard work never changes, but getting used to the different way the team plays will be fun and I am looking forward to showing everyone what I can do and playing with everyone.”

Evalds had some injury problems last term, but confirmed: “I am feeling fine..

“I had a bit of a calf [injury] at the back end of last season which set me back a little bit, but I have worked hard on my re-hab.

“That will continue, but I am fully fit.”