Black and Whites sign Rovers star in loan deal
HULL FC have secured another loan signing from their local rivals Hull KR, with half-back Ben Reynolds crossing the divide in a move that will see Danny Richardson make the move to the Robins.
The Examiner can reveal that the Black and Whites have signed the Rovers playmaker after he was unexpectedly made available by the Challenge Cup semi-finalists. Reynolds has completed a move in time to feature for the Black and Whites in their trip to London Broncos on Sunday night.
Reynolds only joined the Robins in February after making a permanent move from Featherstone Rovers. But after making just two appearances for the Craven Park club, a decision has been made to allow him to seek another challenge, which has ultimately emerged at the MKM Stadium.
As a result of his departure, Rovers have moved to sign Richardson, who has been on the market since the Tigers alerted clubs to his availability last month.
The former St Helens half-back will essentially take on Reynolds’ role in the Robins squad and provide depth and competition for Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May, who have cemented themselves as Willie Peters’ first-choice half-back pairing to date.
Richardson, 27, has made five appearances for Castleford so far this season, but Rowan Milnes and Jacob Miller have more recently been selected ahead of the Rovers-bound talent.
He is cup-tied and will not be available for selection when Hull KR take on Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup next week.
Richardson is back in action this year after missing around 18 months of action due to a horrific knee injury in which he tore his ACL and MCL.
The next chapter of his rugby league journey will be with the Robins and he is off contract at the end of the season, leaving him with an uncertain future. His future also provides further flexibility for Castleford to enter the recruitment market once again.
As for Reynolds, he won the Challenge Cup with Leigh Leopards last year and he becomes the second player to join the Black and Whites from Rovers in the space of a few weeks.
Yusuf Aydin has now joined the club permanently following a successful loan spell, with activity between the two rivals picking up once again.
He will compete for a spot in the side alongside the likes of fit-again Jake Trueman, Morgan Smith and promising academy talent Jack Charles, whose performances have earned plenty of praise in recent weeks.