Castleford Tigers have signed two more players on loan from Leigh Leopards.

Centre or winger Keanan Brand and half-back Ben McNamara will both spend the rest of this season with Tigers and could make their debut away to St Helens on Saturday. Forward Lazarus Vaalepu joined Castleford from Leigh on a similar arrangement earlier this week, with Jack Ashworth moving the other way.

The deals have been completed ahead of Friday’s 2026 signing deadline. McNamara, 25, joined Leigh from home city club Hull FC in 2024 and has scored four tries and 30 goals in 27 appearances. He is the son of Warrington Wolves assistant-coach Steve McNamara.

Ben McNamara has joined Castleford Tigers on loan from Leigh Leopards. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Brand had spells with Widnes Vikings and Warrington Wolves before moving to Leigh in 2021. The 27-year-old Ireland international has made 67 appearances, scoring 34 tries including 20 last season, but has been on the injury list since March.

Castleford director of rugby Chris Chester said: “Both Ben and Keanan are players I know well from my time at Leigh. They both compete really hard and go after the game and they will give us some much-needed depth to our squad.”