Hull FC release Nick Staveley with young forward joining rival Super League club
Nick Staveley has been released from the remainder of his Hull FC contract, with the forward joining Super League rivals Castleford Tigers - on a trial basis.
The 21-year-old was out of contract at the end of the 2025 season and has spent the last 11 months recovering from an ACL injury suffered in a training run last March. He is now closing in on a return to action, with his future, if all goes to plan, now set to be in West Yorkshire under Danny McGuire.
Hull Live understands that the Black and Whites have allowed Staveley to pursue opportunities elsewhere, having fallen down the pecking order following his ACL injury.
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The club currently has senior back-row options in Jed Cartwright, Jordan Lane, and Oliver Holmes, while youngster Zach Jebson is still on the books and teenager Will Kirby is rising through the ranks, being namechecked by head coach John Cartwright after just his second first-team appearance in the Challenge Cup last weekend.
The club are also well stocked with young middles, with Cobie Wainhouse looking to push through alongside rising academy talent Jon Turner and the like. Matty Laidlaw and Will Gardiner are also pushing to earn new deals, with both props out of contract at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Castleford have been hard-pressed for new forwards with McGuire outlaying his recruitment desires this pre-season. Staveley, as reported by League Express on Sunday, will join the club immediately, bringing an end to his time at Hull.
The back-rower, also capable of playing in the middle, made eight appearances for Hull after first debuting at Castleford in 2023. He also played 13 games on loan at Newcastle Thunder.
Elsewhere, Castleford have been interested in Salford Red Devils prop Jack Ormondroyd this winter. However, completion of Salford's new takeover has put an end to any worries about player sales.
